St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria (detail) 1507

"St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria" is a detail from a larger work by Gentile Bellini, one of the most prominent Venetian artists of the late 15th century. Painted in 1507, the year of his death, the painting depicts the Apostle Mark preaching in Alexandria, Egypt. The detail focuses on a group of Muslim figures, who are shown in prayer, demonstrating Bellini’s interest in capturing foreign cultures. This detail is indicative of the Italian Renaissance interest in capturing lifelike detail in depictions of both religious and secular subjects.