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Artwork

Sleeping guardian of a grave with sword and halberd

Bernhard Strigel , 1520

Sleeping guardian of a grave with sword and halberd, by Bernhard Strigel, oil, 1520
Sleeping guardian of a grave with sword and halberd, by Bernhard Strigel, oil, 1520

Sleeping guardian of a grave with sword and halberd is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Bernhard Strigel. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Sleeping guardian of a grave with sword and halberd is a 1520 oil painting by Bernhard Strigel, a German artist associated with the Swabian school and the court of Emperor Maximilian I.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a sleeping armored figure beside a grave, holding a sword and halberd. The figure wears a red hat and tunic, and is set against a serene landscape. The scene conveys stillness and contemplation, with the armor's intricate folds and textures suggesting weariness.

Technique & Style

The work exemplifies Northern Renaissance painting, characterized by detailed rendering and realism. Strigel's use of oil paint allows for nuanced textures and folds in the armor, contributing to the overall atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Alte Pinakothek's collection. Strigel, trained possibly under Bartholomäus Zeitblom, was known for historical and portrait paintings commissioned by nobility, and this work is among his religious paintings.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Bernhard Strigel

Artist

Bernhard Strigel

Bernhard Strigel (c. 1461 – 4 May 1528) was a German portrait and historical painter of the Swabian school, the most important of a family of artists established at Memmingen. He was born at Memmingen and was probably a…

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