Art Institute of Chicago

The Lion of Saint Mark

Martin Schongauer

Date

c. 1490

Medium

Engraving on paper

Culture

Germany

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Martin Schongauer’s roundel of a winged lion is part of a set of engravings of the symbols of the four Evangelists: Matthew (eagle), Mark (lion), Luke (ox), and John (angel). Here Saint Mark’s haloed, noble beast stands at attention, emitting a stately roar. A banderole weaves between its legs in empty folds; this scroll was included so that the engraving’s owner could inscribe it with the story of Christ’s life and resurrection, as Mark described in his Gospel.

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