Artwork
Inner left wing of a triptych with the donor, his two sons and St John the Evangelist
Inner left wing of a triptych with the donor, his two sons and St John the Evangelist is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This oil painting forms the left panel of a three‑part altarpiece created circa 1490.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting forms the left panel of a three‑part altarpiece created circa 1490. Executed by the anonymous Master of the Bruges Legend of St Ursula, it belongs to the Northern Renaissance tradition. The panel portrays a saintly figure, a donor with his children, and a distant urban landscape, and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre stands St John the Evangelist, identifiable by his halo and the golden chalice he holds, symbols of his role as a witness to the Passion. To his right kneels the donor, his hands clasped in prayer, accompanied by his two sons, indicating a personal act of devotion and patronage.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil on panel, the work displays the fine detail and layered glazing typical of Flemish painting in the late fifteenth century. The luminous red robe, delicate modeling of flesh, and atmospheric background—featuring a distant town, boats, and ruins—demonstrate the artist’s skill in combining figure painting with landscape.
History & Provenance
The panel was produced for a private devotional setting, likely commissioned by the depicted donor. It later entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Northern Renaissance art.
Context
The Master of the Bruges Legend of St Ursula is named after a polyptych of Saint Ursula that includes the distinctive belfry and tower of Bruges’ Church of Notre‑Dame, recurring motifs in his oeuvre. This panel shares that architectural backdrop, situating the saints and patrons within a recognizable Flemish environment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula
The Master of the Legend of St. Ursula (1436–1505) was a Flemish painter active in the fifteenth century. His name is derived from a polyptych depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ursula painted for the convent of…
