Figure - Saint Mark the Evangelist - Polychrome wood

Saint Mark the Evangelist – carved limewood – 17th-century style – late 18th / early 19th century

A finely carved limewood figure representing Saint Mark the Evangelist, identifiable by the lion at his side and the book held beneath his arm.

The sculpture is executed in a distinctly 17th-century Baroque tradition, with a strongly modelled beard and hair, deeply cut drapery and an animated stance. Although stylistically inspired by sculpture of the later 17th century, the figure itself is more cautiously dated to the late 18th or early 19th century.

An interesting feature is the character of the timber. The sculpture appears to have been carved from an older piece of limewood, possibly reused from an earlier ecclesiastical or architectural element. Such reuse of seasoned timber was not uncommon, particularly when older church furnishings or carved elements became available.

Saint Mark is shown standing beside his traditional attribute, the lion, one of the four symbols of the Evangelists. He carries a closed book, referring to his Gospel.

The figure retains a beautifully aged surface with remnants of historic polychromy and old surface layers, producing the attractive pale grey and weathered appearance visible in the photographs.

The reverse is flat, following the traditional construction method used for wooden devotional sculpture. This reduced the mass of the timber and helped minimise splitting and deformation.

A decorative and expressive example of historic European religious sculpture, combining an earlier Baroque sculptural vocabulary with a somewhat later execution.

Object: Saint Mark the Evangelist
Material: Carved limewood
Style: 17th-century Baroque tradition
Dating: Probably late 18th to early 19th century
Height: 62 cm
Origin: Northern European

Condition:
Authentic historical condition with considerable age related wear, losses and surface abrasions. Historic woodworm traces are present. One forearm/hand are missing. Remnants of historic polychromy. The reverse is flat. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description.

Shipping:
The sculpture will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking and insurance where available. Due to the age and fragile nature of the object, particular care will be taken when packing.