De evangelist Marcus schrijft het evangelie before 1585

Curator: Here we have a drawing by Wierix, titled "De evangelist Marcus schrijft het evangelie," made before 1585. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. What's your initial response? Editor: The winged lion! It’s oddly comforting, like a scholarly, slightly overgrown house cat supervising homework. And Saint Mark looks so focused. There's a certain hushed reverence, but also a busy-ness. What kind of materials are we looking at? Curator: It's a pen-and-ink sketch, probably part of a personal sketchbook, judging by the style. Notice the toned paper. This adds depth and richness to the monochromatic palette, hinting at age and perhaps even the importance given to the work through material choice. Editor: It definitely feels intimate, not something destined for grand display. More like a glimpse into Wierix's private devotional thoughts. Do you think he planned to use this image for a larger, more public work? Curator: Possibly. The level of detail, especially in the figures in the background—Christ’s ascent, for instance—suggests it could have been a study. The social context, with the rising printmaking industry, often involved preparatory sketches for engravings. Editor: It’s like witnessing the very first spark of an idea. I can imagine him pausing, pen in hand, suddenly struck by a detail he hadn’t considered before. What does Saint Mark's lion mean? Curator: Saint Mark's lion represents courage, royalty, and resurrection, symbolizing his Gospel's opening, which emphasizes Christ's kingship and divine power. Wierix uses the winged lion as a marker and sets him in parallel with Mark's actions. Editor: Very compelling! The lion's book and Mark writing! This adds another layer to the themes: is writing as primal and honest as the Lion, is it divinely inspired and does it take courage to produce this new writing and Gospel? I now imagine that this Lion can comfort, mentor, inspire and most of all be trusted with a monumental task. Curator: And that trust would be so essential for the labor, and dissemination. Wierix presents it not as an isolated moment but embedded within complex symbolic, material, and societal infrastructures. Editor: Thinking about it, there’s also something incredibly endearing about seeing a saint at work, battling writer’s block, perhaps! Curator: Indeed. It moves beyond hagiography into something deeply human and relatable. The production and presentation underscore access for everyday life. Editor: Thanks, it seems there's more to an unassuming pen sketch. A little world of ideas contained within those lines. Curator: Exactly. It holds layers of meaning, inviting continued reflection.