Who painted Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus?

Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus was painted by Marx Reichlich in 1506.

Where can I see Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus?

Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus?

Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus

Marx Reichlich , 1506

Jakobus-Stephanus-Altar: Disputation des hl. Stephanus is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Marx Reichlich. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1506 by Austrian painter Marx Reichlich, the work known as the Jakobus‑Stephanus Altar illustrates a biblical dispute involving Saint Stephen. Executed within the Northern Renaissance idiom, the panel was originally intended for liturgical display and now belongs to the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, distinguished by a golden halo and serene expression, represents Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Around him, a cluster of formally dressed men—some in vivid red hats, others in gold or plain caps—engage in a heated discussion, one gesturing upward while another holds a scroll, suggesting a theological debate.

Technique & Style

Reichlich employs the detailed linearity and rich coloration characteristic of late‑15th‑century Germanic painting. The composition balances intricate foreground figures with a modestly rendered urban backdrop, featuring a bridge and bustling streets that provide spatial depth without detracting from the narrative focus.

History & Provenance

Commissioned for a church setting, the altar panel served a devotional function before entering the museum sphere. It was acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains part of the collection, representing the artist’s broader oeuvre of religious subjects such as his Adoration of the Magi and Last Judgment.

Artist & collection

Artist

Marx Reichlich

Marx Reichlich (1460–1520) was an Austrian painter. Reichlich was a painter of primarily religious works. He painted a number of traditional scenes as commissions for churches, including "Adoration of the Magi", and…