Artwork
Beschneidungsaltar: Die hll. Barbara(?), Christina und Maria Magdalena
Beschneidungsaltar: Die hll. Barbara(?), Christina und Maria Magdalena is an unspecified painting by Master of the Holy Kinship the Elder. It is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
This panel painting, attributed to the workshop of the Master of the Holy Kinship the Elder, presents a devotional grouping of three female saints. Executed in the late Gothic style, it now belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Saint Christina of Bolsena, flanked by Saint Mary Magdalene on the left and Saint Barbara on the right. Each saint holds traditional attributes that identify her, underscoring themes of martyrdom, penitence and steadfast faith within a unified devotional tableau.
Technique & Style
The work employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, with light falling on the central saint and receding into shadow behind the companions. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional sense of volume and guides the eye toward Christina, while the muted landscape and distant architecture provide a restrained backdrop.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a larger altarpiece, the panel entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century. Its attribution to the Master of the Holy Kinship the Elder rests on stylistic parallels with other documented works from the same workshop.
Context
The composition reflects the late 15th‑century German devotion to female saints, often displayed together in altarpieces intended for private chapels or confraternities. The inclusion of Christina, Mary Magdalene and Barbara aligns with contemporary hagiographic interests in virginity, repentance and protection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Holy Kinship the Elder
This late medieval painter made small devotional panels, usually on oak, filled with saints and family scenes.
