Marble statue of the Evangelist Mark, sculpted by Niccolò di Piero Lamberti between 1408 and 1415. Part of the group of Evangelists adorning the original facade of the Cathedral, where it stood in a niche near the central portal. The idea of placing monumental statues of the Evangelists in niches to the left and right of the main doors of the Cathedral was part of an attempt at the beginning of the 15th century to revive interest in a project which had been almost a hundred years abuilding, and inject the decoration of the facade with some dramatic tension. St Mark is seated and holds the Gospel, he also originally held a pen in his right hand, but this is now lost. He is shown with short hair and a beard, wearing a flowing cloak which falls in graceful folds over his tunic. The sculptor, Niccolò di Piero Lamberti, worked concurrently on other projects for the Cathedral while also carrying out commissions for Orsanmichele and the Franciscan Friars in Prato; it took him seven years to complete the St Mark.