Mark the Evangelist

Jan van Bijlert’s St Mark the Evangelist (c. 1625–1630) is a striking seventeenth-century masterpiece that beautifully showcases the profound influence of the Utrecht Caravaggisti.

Created shortly after the artist's formative travels to Italy, this captivating canvas features a half-length depiction of the saint rendered with immense Caravaggesque realism, which is especially evident in his bronzed, deeply lined face and bushy eyebrows. With a piercing gaze, St Mark emphatically points toward his open gospel, while the prominent inclusion of a quill and a rectangular inkpot distinctly highlights his revered status as a writer. In charming contrast to the saint's highly lifelike human features, his traditional attribute—the lion—appears somewhat unconvincing and monstrous, likely because the Dutch artist had never seen a real lion and had to rely on contemporary prints for reference. Fascinatingly, this awkward depiction of the exotic beast likely prompted a past owner to entirely paint over the lion, effectively stripping the work of its religious context so it could be marketed simply as a secular "portrait of a scholar". It was only during a comprehensive 2011 restoration that the obscuring layer of paint was carefully removed, successfully returning both the iconic lion and the original vibrant green tablecloth to the composition.

Historically, this artwork was originally conceived as part of a complete, matching set of the four evangelists, alongside portraits of Matthew, Luke, and John. The esteemed quartet remained together for centuries, notably passing through the collection of early Rijksmuseum director Cornelis Apostool, before tragically being dispersed by a London art dealer in 1927.

Today, this fully restored canvas stands as a magnificent testament to Jan van Bijlert's masterful ability to blend Italianate dramatic lighting with Dutch naturalism, offering a captivating addition to any exploration of the Dutch Golden Age.