Artwork
Altarpiece of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Stephen
Altarpiece of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Stephen is a tempera painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Badalona. It dates from 1410 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1410, the Altarpiece of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Stephen is a tempera work attributed to the Master of Badalona. The piece is a triptych now in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, presenting a formal religious composition typical of early 15th‑century Catalan painting.
Subject & Meaning
The central panel features the two saints after whom the work is named: John the Baptist, identifiable by the lamb he holds, and Saint Stephen, shown with a book. Flanking panels contain narrative scenes that reference the saints’ martyrdoms and devotional practices, reinforcing their roles as intercessors.
Technique & Style
Executed in egg tempera on wood, the altarpiece displays a restrained palette of browns, reds and golds. The figures are rendered with a measured, somewhat rigid posture, while fine brushwork conveys detailed clothing and facial features, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship of the workshop.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the early 15th century for an unknown ecclesiastical setting and later entered the holdings of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Its attribution to the Master of Badalona rests on stylistic parallels with other regional works of the period.
Context
The triptych format aligns with contemporary liturgical art, designed for placement on an altar and to guide worshippers through visual contemplation of saintly virtues. Its iconography follows established conventions for depicting John the Baptist and Stephen, linking local devotional needs with broader medieval traditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
This anonymous painter from the early 1400s made religious scenes in tempera, a paint mixed with egg yolk that dries fast and looks flat.
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