Christian Art. [ad. Gr. τετράμορφον, prop. neut. adj. four-shaped, f. τετρα- four- + μορφή form.] A composite figure combining the symbols of the four evangelists (derived from Rev. iv. 6–8 and Ezek. i. 5–10).
1848. Mrs. Jameson, Sacr. & Leg. Art (1850), 80. The Evangelists, or rather the Gospels, are represented as the tetramorph, or four-faced creature.
1854. Fairholt, Dict. Terms Art, 439/2. Tetramorph. (Gr.) In Christian Art, the union of the four attributes of the Evangelists in one figure, winged, standing on winged, fiery wheels; the wings being covered with eyes.
1875. R. St. J. Tyrwhitt, in Smith & Cheetham’s Dict. Chr. Antiq., I. 634/1. The most interesting 6th century representation of them [symbols of the evangelists] … is the quaintly but most grandly-conceived tetramorph of the Rabula MSS.
1898. C. Bell, trans. Huysman’s Cathedral, ix. 177. With Christ enthroned … between the winged beasts of the Tetramorph.
