Book Cover Plaque with Christ in Majesty and the Symbols of the Four Evangelists

Unknown

11th century · Elephant ivory · Medieval Art

Here the symbols of the four evangelists—the eagle (Saint John), the angel (Saint Matthew), the ox (Saint Luke), and the lion (Saint Mark)—hold an open book containing the first words of each Gospel. The beardless, youthful figure of Christ in the center is rare in depictions from this date.

Artist

Unknown

Date

11th century

Medium

Elephant ivory

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917