Evangelist, martyr and patron of Venice · Saint Mark

Fra Angelico, Bellini, Tintoretto and Cima da Conegliano tell the story of Mark through his martyrdom, his relics and his winged lion, a major emblem of Venice.

Saint Mark is traditionally recognized as the author of the second Gospel. Its symbol is the winged lion, one of the four beings associated with the evangelists. Tradition also links Mark to Alexandria, where he is said to have suffered martyrdom. Fra Angelico and Giovanni Bellini transformed this torture into a public story, organized by bodies, architecture and witnesses. In Venice, the saint acquired exceptional civic importance after the supposed arrival of his relics in the 9th century. Tintoretto recounts the kidnapping and then the miraculous discovery of the body in vast compositions animated by spectacular perspectives and gestures. Cima da Conegliano recounts the kidnapping and then the miraculous discovery of the body in vast compositions animated by spectacular perspectives and gestures. saints, bringing together political emblem and sacred assembly. The book, the lion and the relationship with Venice allow us to immediately recognize its presence. The "Saint Mark" selection notably compares The Martyrdom of Saint Mark - Fra Angelico and The Martyrdom of Saint Mark - Giovanni Bellini. Its reading favors details.

Mark goes from book to lion, then from martyr to protector of Venice: his image unites speech, memory and collective identity.