Mark the Evangelist

According to legend, the apostle and evangelist Mark was a young man who followed Christ even when the latter was betrayed and abandoned by his disciples. In the ancient iconographic tradition, Mark the Evangelist was depicted with a lion, which symbolises the power and royal dignity of Jesus. Following the tradition, the full-length figure of St. Mark is shown with an open book in his left hand and the lion as his constant attribute. The saint's body is covered by a tunic that leaves only his hands and feet exposed. The garment is completely covered with dynamic folds modelled by soft lines with rounded ribbed protrusions that envelop the figure and create intricate patterns. The saint's right shoulder is covered with a chlamys, which seems to flutter with movement. The emotional expression of the Baroque style in the sculpture of Mark the Evangelist is evident in the choice of a spectacular pose. Losses in the work (the absence of the head) do not allow us to reveal the holistic image of the saint.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery