Photographed by Scott Wolff. Scanned from a slide. Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

Saint Mark

Artist Unknown

CultureFlemish

Date15th century

MediumLimestone

DimensionsOverall: 37 1/2 in. (95.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation

Object number2014.3.10

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is a standing figure of Saint Mark. Deeply folding draperies create a column-shaped body; at the bottom ten toes peek out, yet unlike a real foot, Mark's toes are all of nearly equal size. The head and arms of a lion cling to the draperies of Mark's upper leg and hang there. The bottom portion of the lion's body has broken off. The back is flat is if it might have at one time been attached to a wall. He holds a long curling scroll in his hands, his right fingers have broken off. There is a quill case and ink pot attached to his belt. His face is rectangular with flat features. His eyes are almond shaped and unseeing, there is no interior carving to indicate the iris or pupil. He has wavy hair and a curling beard.
Label TextSaint Mark, 15th century French Limestone This Saint Mark once belonged to a set of sculptures depicting the four Evangelists, or authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The quill case and inkpot hanging from his belt identify Mark as a writer, while a fanciful scroll curls across his chest (it may once have been inscribed with the opening lines of his Gospel). The lion playfully pawing at his robes is the saint’s traditional attribute, which may allude to Mark’s description of Christ as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” Gift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation 2014.3.10 ProvenanceGift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation to the Chrysler Museum of Art, March 2014.