Desk Frame - St. John the Evangelist by Museum Art

Artist: Peter Paul Rubens – c. 1611

Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. St John can be identified by the goblet: legend has it that someone tried to kill him by serving him poisoned wine. The murder attempt failed: John is said to have died a natural death.

John, a fisherman, was a brother of St James. He, Peter and James were the disciples that stood closest to Jesus. John is often mentioned as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

His feast day is December 27.