A detailed circular engraving by Zacharias Dolendo depicting Saint John the Apostle with his traditional iconographic attributes.

This circular engraving by the Dutch artist Zacharias Dolendo depicts Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist. Dolendo, active in the late sixteenth century, was a skilled engraver who often collaborated with other prominent figures of the period, such as Jacques de Gheyn II, whose name appears on the plate. The work follows the conventions of Northern Mannerism, characterised by a focus on technical precision and the expressive potential of the burin.

Saint John is shown in a contemplative pose, his head resting on his hand. He holds a chalice from which a small serpent emerges, a traditional iconographic attribute referring to the legend of the poisoned cup. Before him lies an open book, representing his role as an evangelist. The circular format, or tondo, was a popular choice for devotional prints of this era, allowing for a focused composition that draws the viewer into the subject's quiet introspection. The background is rendered with fine, dense hatching, which provides a sense of depth and contrast against the lighter tones of the figure's robes and face.

Dolendo employs a calligraphic line quality, typical of the Dutch printmaking tradition of the time. The shading is achieved through systematic cross-hatching, which models the form of the saint and the folds of his drapery with clarity. The inscription along the upper border identifies the subject in Latin, while the lower section includes the artist's signature and the name of the publisher. This print reflects the high level of craftsmanship found in late sixteenth-century Dutch graphic arts, where the mastery of line was essential for conveying both theological narratives and human emotion. The work remains a fine example of the period's dedication to detail and the dissemination of religious imagery through the medium of the copperplate engraving.