Artwork

Roundel with Saint Mark

Roundel with Saint Mark is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The lion, traditionally linked to Mark through the opening of his Gospel, serves as both companion and emblem of evangelical authority.

The roundel depicts Saint Mark the Evangelist holding an open codex, identified by the lion at his feet and the inscribed scroll, attributes that signal his authorship of the Gospel. The lion, traditionally linked to Mark through the opening of his Gospel, serves as both companion and emblem of evangelical authority. The codex underscores his role as a transmitter of sacred scripture, while the saint’s serene posture conveys doctrinal stability.

Within the roundel’s compact format, the iconography compresses narrative and symbol into a devotional image, emphasizing the saint’s intercessory function and the textual foundation of Christian faith.

History & Provenance

The Roundel with Saint Mark is an anonymous religious painting dated to the year 1500. This work, which depicts the Evangelist Mark alongside a lion, originated as a standalone piece without a recorded specific commission or patron in the available records. It measures 23.5 centimeters in both height and width, consistent with the format of a decorative roundel.

The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum is not detailed in the provided sources, the work's inception is firmly established at the turn of the 16th century. Its attribution remains anonymous, reflecting a period of production where individual artist signatures were not always preserved or recorded for such devotional objects.

The roundel depicting Saint Mark, dated to around 1500, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York. The museum lists the work within its holdings, but the specific accession or inventory number is not disclosed in the available documentation. The piece is classified as a religious painting and is noted for its depiction of the lion, the evangelist Mark, and a man.

No exhibition record is mentioned in the sources consulted, indicating that the work has not been featured in publicly documented exhibitions to date.

Overview

This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists. The composition features the saint enthroned, accompanied by his traditional symbol, a lion. Rendered with a distinct color palette and a clear, focused arrangement, the artwork likely served as a devotional image or part of a larger decorative program. Its compact, circular form suggests a specific placement within an architectural or liturgical context.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a defined visual language within its circular format. Saint Mark is depicted in a white robe accented with yellow, contrasting with the predominantly yellow background. A brick wall provides a structural element behind the throne, adding a sense of place to the scene.

The lion's direct gaze serves as a notable compositional detail, drawing the viewer's attention and creating an immediate connection with the sacred subject.