Roundel with Saint Mark

Art Historical Context

This exquisite roundel, created around 1500 in the North Netherlands, portrays Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists, whose traditional symbol is the winged lion. Measuring just over nine inches in diameter, the small scale suggests it was designed for a domestic window or a modest chapel rather than a grand cathedral. Crafted from colorless glass with vitreous paint and silver stain, the piece reflects the refined glassworking traditions of the late medieval period transitioning into the Northern Renaissance. The use of silver stain was particularly innovative at the time, allowing artists to achieve luminous yellow and golden tones by applying a silver compound that turned yellow when fired. This technique enabled delicate details and shading on clear glass, making roundels like this both affordable and visually striking. As part of The Cloisters collection, it offers visitors a glimpse into the everyday devotional art that adorned homes and smaller religious spaces in the Netherlands five centuries ago. Saint Mark’s image would have served both as a protective emblem and a reminder of the Gospels, connecting the viewer to a rich tradition of biblical storytelling through luminous glass.