Who painted Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus?

Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1500.

Where can I see Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus?

Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus?

Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus

Albrecht Dürer , 1500

Jabach Altar: Saints Simeon and Lazarus is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1500 panel, known as the Jabach Altar, forms part of a multi‑panel altarpiece now housed in Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. The work presents two solemn figures, traditionally identified as Saints Simeon and Lazarus, set against a richly patterned gold backdrop that emphasizes their dignified presence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the two saints standing side by side. The figure on the left is cloaked in a vivid red robe trimmed with fur, while the right figure wears white and gold garments topped by a tall, pointed mitre, suggesting ecclesiastical authority. Their serious expressions and the symbolic colors convey themes of piety and martyrdom associated with the biblical characters.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using light and shadow to model the folds of the robes and give them a tactile, three‑dimensional quality. The contrast between the luminous reds and golds and the dark, patterned background heightens the visual impact, reflecting the artist’s study of Italian masters such as Raphael and Leonardo.

History & Provenance

Created during Dürer’s early mature period, the panel was originally part of a larger devotional ensemble. It entered the collection of the German banker and collector Johann Jakob von Jabach in the 17th century, from whom it derives its name, before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on public display.