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Martin Schongauer

The Lion of Saint Mark

c. 1490
Engraving on paper
9 × 8.8 cm (3.5 × 3.5 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

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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