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The sculptured
symbols of the Evangelists are often found on the
western facades of the larger medieval churches, either
in a horizontal line or at the corners of an imaginagry
square around the central window or as part of a portico
/ tympanum structure. They may also be
around eastern apse windows, or even appear as large
statues standing on top of apse walls (such as the
spectacular group in
Angers). Many statues have disappeared over time
because of deterioration, restructuring and restoration.
Although in a particular church there would normally
have been all four symbols in a group somewhere, it is
not uncommon to find that they have become scattered or
depopulated over time - Pisa
Duomo for example has an ox flying out of the east facade, an
eagle and an angel on the west facade, and a lion standing
alone on the distant cemetery wall.
In the older
churches of Rome like
Santa Pudenziana, Santa
Prassede and
Santa Maria in Trastevere,
mosaics of the evangelists signs are often found in the
apse area.
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