Statues - Hither & Thither

Site Search:

Baden-Baden
Stadt Baden-Baden
Baden-Württemberg

Augustaplatz 1
(Evangelische Stadtkirche)

Die vier Evangelisten

The Four Evangelists

The four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their versions of the life of Jesus - the Gospel - are included in the New Testament. In art, they are depicted with their symbols: Eagle (John), Lion (Mark), Bull (Luke) and Angel (Matthew) or just with these symbols in the so-called tetramorphe.

1876

Description

Four statues on the narthex of the church, built 1864 by the architect Friedrich Eisenlohr, the towers were added in 1876 after a design by Heinrich Lang.

St. Matthew / St. Matthäus

St. Luke / St. Lukas

St. John / St. Johannes

St. Mark / St. Markus

(Only identification of St. John is sure, that is the only one where the name is still visible)

Four Evangelists

The four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their versions of the life of Jesus - the Gospel - are included in the New Testament of the Bible. In art, these four evangelists are depicted since the fourth century not only in human forms, but also with symbols, inspired by the visions in the Bible book of Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4. The Apostle John appears as an eagle, Luke as a bull, Mark as a lion and Matthew as an angel. This view, also called tetramorphe (from Greek: four forms), is probably of Syrian origin (Wikipedia).
In the earliest versions tetramorph was used as a symbol of the majesty of Christ, the human figure signifies the Incarnation, the bull Jesus' priesthood, the lion and the eagle the power of his divine grace. In the earliest representations of the tetramorph the four figures are arranged around the throne of Christ (Maiestas Domini) ( Catholic Netherlands).

Locatie (N 48°45'27" - E 8°14'27") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: debw088; Photograph: 17 April 2012
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt