The Lion of Saint Mark

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.