Artwork
Gerichtsaltar: Höllensturz der Verdammten
Gerichtsaltar: Höllensturz der Verdammten is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Fries. It dates from 1501 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Gerichtsaltar: Höllensturz der Verdammten is a triptych painting created by Hans Fries in 1501. It is a work of the Northern Renaissance, characterized by vivid and dramatic depiction.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a scene of divine judgment, showing the fall of the damned into chaos. The top scenes feature intense fighting among figures on horseback and on foot, while the bottom scenes present a kneeling woman surrounded by other dramatic figures.
Technique & Style
The artist achieved a three-dimensional effect through the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth. The figures appear to pop from the background due to the pronounced shadows and highlighted skin tones.
History & Provenance
Hans Fries, active before the Reformation, was born around 1465 in Fribourg. He trained under Heinrich Bichler and served as Fribourg's city painter before relocating to Bern around 1510, where he remained until his death around 1523.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Fries (c. 1465 – c. 1523) was a Swiss painter before the Reformation. Fries was born in Fribourg, the son of a baker, and studied with the Bernese painter Heinrich Bichler. After a stay in Basel in the year…
Nativity (left panel), Adoration of the Magi (central panel), Rest on the Flight into Egypt (right panel)
Painting
Die Sintflut
Gefangennahme Christi
Merkur und Venus (Kopie nach)
Jüngstes Gericht (Kopie nach)
Copy of detail of the Ghent Altarpiece, Virgin Annunciate and Prophet, by Hubert and Jan van Eyck in the church of St Bavon, Ghent.
Altarpiece of Saint Michael the Archangel
Altarflügel: Christus am Kreuz, Geißelung und Kreuztragung Christi, Stigmatisierung des hl. Franziskus