Artwork
God the Father (after The Ghent Altarpiece)
God the Father (after The Ghent Altarpiece) is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Michiel Coxie. It dates from 1558 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
God the Father (after The Ghent Altarpiece), painted in 1558 by Michiel Coxie, is a Northern Renaissance work depicting a religious figure in meticulous detail, characteristic of the period’s devotional art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays God the Father, symbolically adorned with a crown, red robe with gold trim, and scepter, conveying divine authority. The raised left hand, with index finger pointing upwards, may signify benediction or emphasis on heavenly direction.
Technique & Style
Coxie’s work showcases Northern Renaissance techniques: intricate textures, vivid colors, and depth. The detailed throne, patterned blue and gold back, black and gold tiled floor, and ornate gold arch with inscription demonstrate the artist’s attention to decorative and symbolic elements.
History & Provenance
Created for an unspecified context in 1558, the painting is now part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, reflecting its recognized artistic and historical value.
Context
As a court painter to Emperor Charles V and King Philip II of Spain, Coxie’s style and subject matter, including this work, would have catered to the religious and political climate of the 16th-century European nobility.
Legacy
While specific impacts of *God the Father* are not widely documented, it contributes to the broader legacy of Northern Renaissance art, exemplifying the period’s religious themes and artistic craftsmanship.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michiel Coxie the Elder, Michiel Coxcie the Elder or Michiel van Coxcie, Latinised name Coxius (1499 – 3 March 1592), was a Flemish painter of altarpieces and portraits, a draughtsman and a designer of stained-glass windows, tapestries and…
