Altarpiece of the Saints Matthewand Thomas
about 1515 | Bernaert van Orley
This picture is an early work by Orley, the central panel of a winged altarpiece. The side panels are now in Brussels. The Apostles Matthew and Thomas were the patron saints of masons and carpenters, respectively, who donated the altar. The fantastic architecture divides the panel into two parts: on the left is the martyrdom of St. Thomas (in the background he is walking across glowing irons and being put into an oven); on the right Matthew is chosen as an Apostle (in the background the presentation of the poisoned chalice and the death of his adversaries).
This picture is an early work by Orley, the central panel of a winged altarpiece. The side panels are now in Brussels. The Apostles Matthew and Thomas were the patron saints of masons and carpenters, respectively, who donated the altar. The fantastic architecture divides the panel into two parts: on the left is the martyrdom of St. Thomas (in the background he is walking across glowing irons and being put into an oven); on the right Matthew is chosen as an Apostle (in the background the presentation of the poisoned chalice and the death of his adversaries).
Artist:
Bernaert van Orley (1488 - 1541 Brüssel) DNB
Time:
about 1515
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
oak wood
Dimensions:
140 x 180 cm
Signed
Inscribed on the shield of the central pillar in the round with the inscription: BERNART VAN ORLEI and an unclear monogram: OVB ?
Inscribed
Über der Inschrift ein Malerwappen mit 3 Schildern
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 992
Provenance
acquired in 1809