Artwork
Ss Cecilia,Mary Magdalene with donatrix,lamentation flanked by other six Sorrows of Mary, Ss James Great,Martin of Tours an Augustine monk
Ss Cecilia,Mary Magdalene with donatrix,lamentation flanked by other six Sorrows of Mary, Ss James Great,Martin of Tours an Augustine monk is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Cornelis Engebrechtsz.. It dates from 1509 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Engebrechtsz., an early 16th‑century painter from Leiden, executed a three‑panel oil altarpiece in 1509. The central scene presents the Lamentation of Christ, while the side wings display the Virgin’s Sorrows and a group of saints, including St Cecilia, Mary Magdalene, St James the Greater, St Martin of Tours, and an Augustinian monk.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes the grief of Christ’s followers with the broader narrative of Mary’s suffering. The left wing gathers three women—one reading, another holding an object—evoking contemplation, whereas the right wing shows two robed figures, one kneeling with a model of a building, suggesting intercession and devotion.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil on panel, the work reflects Northern Renaissance attention to detail and naturalism. Engebrechtsz. employs a balanced arrangement of figures, precise rendering of textures such as fabric and stone, and a muted palette that enhances the somber mood of the lamentation.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the triptych entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains on display. Engebrechtsz., regarded as Leiden’s first notable painter, later taught artists such as his son Pieter and Lucas van Leyden, who would surpass him in fame.
Context
The altarpiece belongs to a period when Dutch artists were integrating Italian Renaissance influences with local devotional traditions. Its focus on the Seven Sorrows of Mary and inclusion of multiple saints reflects the liturgical and theological concerns of early 16th‑century Catholic practice in the Low Countries.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Engebrechtsz., also known as Cornelis Engelbrechtsz. (c.1462–1527) was an early Dutch painter. He was born and died in Leiden, and is considered the first important painter from that city. Engebrechtsz. taught…
The Crucifixion with Donors and Saints Peter and Margaret
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