Hans Alexander Brunner

Hans Alexander Brunner
Vienna 1895 – 1968 Vienna
John the Evangelist
Oil on canvas
Signed and dated 1944 lower left

Hans Alexander Brunner was an Austrian painter and sculptor who became known above all for his portraits, religious themes and his affinity for the expressive conception of figures. In the 1940s, he created numerous works with spiritual and symbolist content, often characterized by calm sublimity and inner concentration. His works were shown at the Great Austrian Art Exhibition in 1947, where the present painting was also exhibited.
The saint depicted is John the Evangelist, one of the four authors of the Gospels and traditionally the author of the Apocalypse (Revelation of John). He is often depicted as a young man with an eagle – his evangelist symbol. John is probably seated, with a halo, and positioned frontally to the viewer. He is wearing a richly pleated robe consisting of a red cloak and yellow tunic, with a classical appearance and accentuated colors.
His right hand is holding a pen to a large piece of parchment, the rolled-up sheets of which he is holding loosely with his left hand. The long, slender fingers and the narrow, contoured face emphasize the introverted seriousness of the moment. His gaze is remarkable: Although the pen is touching the page, John is not looking at it, but turning his gaze to the left, possibly into an inner space of seeing and hearing – a reference to the visionary moment of revelation.
In the background, the eagle flies past in dynamic motion – a symbol of elevation, inspiration and spiritual vision. This compositional integration of the eagle, together with the evangelist’s inward expression, suggests a moment of epiphany – the mystical experience in which John receives the word of God and puts it down on paper.
Brunner’s depiction combines classical iconography with a subtle, psychologically penetrating visual language that impressively captures the spiritual content of the subject. A quiet, concentrated work of deep inner tension.