Signs & Symbols

Decoding Mediaeval & Renaissance Iconography

Case 7 - Four Evangelists (Matthew & Mark)

Biblia, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata .… Cum licentia superiorum. Venice: Niccolò Bevilaqua, 1583. RBP Bible Latin 1583

Biblia, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata .… Cum licentia superiorum. Venice: Niccolò Bevilaqua, 1583. RBP Bible Latin 1583

Symbols have been used to tell the stories of the lives of saints since the early days of Christianity. Iconic motifs, or emblems, present in each saintly image represent a particular aspect of their lives. These serve not only as means to identify each saint, but also as visual cues which allowed illiterate members of the congregation to recognise biblical scenes and figures.

The emblems of the Evangelists are connected to the ‘four living creatures’ that surround God as witnessed in a vision by the prophet Ezekiel. Each creature represents a different aspect of Christ as noted in the Four Gospels. St. Matthew, whose Gospel begins by tracing the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham, is symbolised by an angel or winged man, as representation of Christ’s human nature. In this depiction the figure is holding a pen dipped into an inkwell, symbolising the inspiration for St. Matthew to write his Gospel.

Biblia, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata .… Cum licentia superiorum. Venice: Niccolò Bevilaqua, 1583. RBP Bible Latin 1583

Biblia, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata .… Cum licentia superiorum. Venice: Niccolò Bevilaqua, 1583. RBP Bible Latin 1583
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Biblia sacra, ad vetustissima exe[m]plaria nunc recens castigate, Romæque reuisa … Lyon: Gulielmum Rouillium, 1588. RBP Bible Latin 1588

Biblia sacra, ad vetustissima exe[m]plaria nunc recens castigate, Romæque reuisa … Lyon: Gulielmum Rouillium, 1588. RBP Bible Latin 1588

The emblem of St. Mark, who is seen here at his desk writing the second Gospel, is that of a winged lion. The lion was chosen for Mark as his Gospel begins with St. John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, the habitat of lions; it also explains Christ’s royalty and is a symbol of the Resurrection (lions were believed to sleep with both eyes open, a parallel to Christ’s eyes remaining open in his tomb).

The image at right is of Jesus being baptised by John the Baptist. He is about to receive the Holy Spirit (symbolised by the dove) from God who is depicted at the upper right.

Biblia sacra, ad vetustissima exe[m]plaria nunc recens castigate, Romæque reuisa … Lyon: Gulielmum Rouillium, 1588. RBP Bible Latin 1588

Biblia sacra, ad vetustissima exe[m]plaria nunc recens castigate, Romæque reuisa … Lyon: Gulielmum Rouillium, 1588. RBP Bible Latin 1588
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Cases