Artwork
Universitätsaltar: Hl. Johannes Ev. Rückseite: Hl. Margaretha
Universitätsaltar: Hl. Johannes Ev. Rückseite: Hl. Margaretha is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1513 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The panel, part of the Universitätsaltar, presents a standing figure in a vivid red garment against a muted landscape.
About this work
Overview
The panel, part of the Universitätsaltar, presents a standing figure in a vivid red garment against a muted landscape. The saint holds an open book and a quill, his gaze directed upward, suggesting contemplation. A distant settlement rests beside a river, framed by rolling hills and a castle on the horizon, while the foreground is a grassy plain.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint John the Evangelist, traditionally associated with the Gospel and the act of writing, indicated by the book and quill. The reverse side of the altar features Saint Margaret, linking two martyr saints within a single devotional object, reflecting themes of faith and perseverance.
Technique & Style
The artist renders the folds of the red robe with a sculptural quality, employing chiaroscuro to model light and shadow across the fabric. Highlights on the face and hands contrast with the darker background, creating a three‑dimensional illusion that emphasizes the saint’s physical presence within the composition.
History & Provenance
Created for a university altar, the work originally functioned as a liturgical panel within an academic setting. Its survival on both sides—depicting Saint John and Saint Margaret—suggests it was intended for a dual‑sided display, a common practice in medieval and early Renaissance altar pieces.
Artist & collection
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