Evangelist portrait of St. Mark in a 12th century manuscript

In most of the standard medieval iconographic compositions, St. Mark the Evangelist is presented accompanied by a lion which sometimes is with wings. The lion figure is present presumably because his Gospel emphasizes the royal dignity of Christ, and the lion is the figure representing his royalty. He is shown most of the times seated with a book or pen presenting his character of Evangelist and secretary of St. Peter. In some occasions, only the figure of the Lion, as one of his attributes, is presented.

 

St. Mark is known as the author of the second Gospel in the New Testament. This Gospel is dedicated to the life of Christ after his baptism, to his death and resurrection, focusing particularly on the last weeks of his life. Tradition says that St. Mark wrote this Gospel receiving the materials directly by St. Peter whilst accompanying him as a secretary on a journey to Rome. He has died in Alexandria where he also founded a church in this city. Several centuries after his death, his body was carried off by Venetian sailors bringing it to Venice where St. Mark became the patron saint of this city which adopts his emblem, the lion, as its own.

 

Link to “St. Mark the Evangelist” set

 

Link to "The four Evangelists" collection

 

Manuscript title: Biblia latina vulgatae versionis cum prologis

 

Origin: Engelberg (Switzerland)

 

Period: 12th century

 

Image source: Engelberg, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. 5, p. 134v – Biblia latina vulgatae versionis cum prologis (www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bke/0005/134v)

 

 

Done