Saint John

French 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a scribe in a decorated manuscript. The painting shows a seated figure in a blue robe with a halo, writing on a scroll with a quill at a writing desk. The scene is framed with a rich architectural arch, and the surrounding page is decorated with vibrant red, blue, and gold floral motifs and filigree. The text in red and black script occupies a central portion below the artwork, set within fields of colorful flourishes. This is in the style of medieval illuminated manuscript art.