Seven reliefs

Seven reliefs
Flemish/Dutch
Around 1520/30
Saint Tobias with Archangel Raphael
Saint Dionysius
Saint Nicholas
Saint John
Saint Luke
Saint Mark
Wood carved
Height 100 cm, width 25 cm each

Tobias, a character from the Old Testament Book of Tobit, is often depicted accompanied by the archangel Raphael. He is typically shown traveling, with a fish in his hand—a reference to the miraculous remedy obtained from its gall. Raphael, as his divine companion, usually appears as a young man with wings, a walking stick, and a pilgrim’s bag.

Dionysius was the first bishop of Paris and, according to legend, suffered martyrdom by beheading. Typical of his depiction is the so-called cephalophory – he carries his own severed head in his hands.

The bishop of Myra is one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. His attributes are the three golden balls (often apples or loaves of bread) – a reference to the legend in which he gave three impoverished virgins their dowry – as well as the bishop’s crook and mitre.

John the Evangelist is usually depicted as a young man, often beardless, holding a chalice from which a snake is escaping – a reference to the poisoning he survived. He may also be accompanied by the Gospel book or the eagle (his evangelist symbol).

Luke, patron saint of painters and doctors, is usually shown with a book or scroll and his evangelist symbol – a winged bull or ox.

Mark, the author of the oldest gospel, is closely associated with the lion as his evangelist symbol. The lion often appears with its mouth open, sometimes winged, and represents courage and royal dignity. Mark himself is usually depicted with a book or scroll.