The Vision of St. John The Evangelist (1637)

The Vision of St. John The Evangelist, from circa 1636-7, by Alonso Cano, is a small Spanish painting held at London’s Wallace Collection. It depicts an angel revealing a vision of New Jerusalem to John which he describes in the book of Revelation.  

As visions of heaven go, I must say it is somewhat disappointing, and looks a little on the small side. On the other hand, the marvellous descriptions which John recorded must be well-nigh impossible to paint, and Cano surely did his best. Whatever New Jerusalem is like, however grand we imagine it, however large its dimensions and opulent its fabric, it is certain to exceed our expectations. Everywhere else is only likely to disappoint, but the home Christ has appointed for His redeemed people shall never merely 'satisfy'.