The Winged Ox of Saint Luke (Bamberg Apocalypse)

This detail from a medieval manuscript illumination depicts a stylized, light-colored ox with large, sweeping wings and a circular halo, indicating its identity as a divine or symbolic creature. The ox is shown in profile, facing left, with its body angled toward the viewer; it rests its front legs upon a rectangular, closed book with a distinct brown cover and white binding. The creature's wings extend upward and outward, colored in soft shades of tan and cream with delicate line work to suggest feathers. A dark, muted brown background surrounds the figure, with faint hints of stylized, orange-red flames or foliage visible along the lower border.

This figure represents the Tetramorph, the four symbols of the Evangelists derived from the visions of Ezekiel and Revelation, which became a foundational element of medieval Christian iconography and manuscript art.