Artwork
Rem-Altar: Der hl. Rochus mit dem Engel (Rückseite: Hl. Anna Selbdritt)
Rem-Altar: Der hl. Rochus mit dem Engel (Rückseite: Hl. Anna Selbdritt) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Quinten Metsys. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Rem-Altar: Der hl.
About this work
Overview
Rem-Altar: Der hl. Rochus mit dem Engel (Rückseite: Hl. Anna Selbdritt) is a dual-panel oil painting created in 1518 by Quentin Matsys, a prominent figure in the Early Netherlandish tradition and founder of the Antwerp school of painting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Saint Roch, identifiable by his hat with a cross, in a serene landscape with an angel. Roch, often invoked against plague, is shown with a dog, a symbol of his fidelity and healing. The angel offers him a loaf of bread, symbolizing sustenance during his exile. The reverse features Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child, highlighting maternal lineage and wisdom.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Matsys' mastery of Northern Renaissance techniques, characterized by vivid, realistic details, and a harmonious balance between figural composition and landscape elements.
History & Provenance
Created in 1518 while Matsys was active in Antwerp, the painting is now part of the Alte Pinakothek's collection, reflecting its significance within Flemish art of the 16th century.
Context
As a leading work of the Antwerp school, it influenced the dominance of Flemish art in the 16th century, blending religious themes with the emerging realistic tendencies of the Northern Renaissance.
Legacy
Rem-Altar contributes to Matsys' legacy as a founder of the Antwerp school, impacting subsequent generations of Flemish painters with its blend of religious narrative and detailed realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Quentin Matsys (UK: MAT-sysse, US: MAHT-sysse; also Massys or Metsys; Flemish: Quinten Matsijs ; 1466–1530) was a Flemish painter in the Early Netherlandish tradition.
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