Marcus de evangelist 1590 - 1650

Antoine Sallaert rendered this engraving of 'Marcus de evangelist' in the early 17th century. Dominating the scene is Saint Mark, identified by his symbolic association with the lion, a motif that stretches back to ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, where lions represented power and royalty. The symbolic lion is not unique to Mark; other evangelists also have animal symbols, derived from the four living creatures in Ezekiel's vision. This linkage evokes how symbols morph over time, each era reinterpreting them through its own cultural lens. Consider the psychological weight of these emblems. For the faithful, they offer an anchor, connecting them to a lineage of belief. Yet, even for the non-believer, the image resonates, stirring subconscious recognition of symbols that have permeated Western culture. Notice how these symbols never truly disappear. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, proving the non-linear, cyclical progression of cultural memory.