“St. Marc the Evangelist,” crafted around 1400 in Moscow, Russian Federation by the esteemed artist Andrei Rublev, stands as a testament to the Byzantine and Moscow school of icon painting movements. The artwork is a miniature from the series “Khitrovo Gospels” and it is currently housed in the Russian State Library in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts St. Marc the Evangelist in a contemplative and scholarly pose. He is shown seated on an ornate wooden chair, draped in robes of indigo blue. Attention to detail is evident in the intricate folds of the fabric, which convey a sense of depth and realism. St. Marc is absorbed in his writing, his gaze focused, and his figure slightly hunched over a manuscript, which he clutches with one hand while the other holds a quill. The background features architectural elements, with columns and archways painted in soft, muted tones, complementing the vibrant attire of the saint. The gold accents in the background and the red border frame the composition, while the wear and age of the painting add to its aura of historical significance and veneration.
