Saint Mark the Evangelist

The saint stands in a slight contrapposto (weight on the right leg) facing the viewer. In his right hand, he holds a book supported against his hip. His left hand is slightly extended to the side with the palm open. Between the bare feet of the figure, the right profile of a lion’s head can be seen, with closed eyes, drooping lips, large nostrils, and an almost smooth mane.

The head of the evangelist—a mature man with a mustache and long beard—reveals a high, wrinkled forehead, framed by curly hair reaching his shoulders.

The undergarment, ankle-length with a collar and long sleeves, is tied at the waist with a cord. Over his left shoulder, he has a long cloak draped over his arm and wrapped around his torso, creating deep diagonal folds in the front.

Baroque Stalls

The Baroque oak stalls from 1662–1665, created by Bavarian artists Franz Motsch and Josef Zeller, come from St. Vincent’s Church in Wrocław, belonging to the Norbertine monastery. In their backs, bas-reliefs depict scenes from the life of Saint Norbert of Xanten (1082–1134), the founder of the order in Prémontré near Laon, France.

The cycle of these depictions begins on the southeast side and features the coat of arms of Abbot Matthäus Paul, who brought the aforementioned artists to Wrocław. Between the reliefs are figures of the Apostles, Evangelists, and Church Fathers, topped with sculptures of Angels with the instruments of the Passion of Christ.