Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece

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Central panel of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece (Alte Pinakothek, Munich)

The Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece (sometimes called the Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altar

Early Netherlandish painter active in Germany, mostly Cologne, between 1475[1]/1480 and 1510.[2] Despite his anonymity, he is one of the most recognizable artists of the early Renaissance period in German art.[3]

It has been said that the Master is the last "Gothic" painter to be active in Cologne. Approximately twenty-five paintings have been attributed to him[1] on the basis of his highly individual style, which does not seem to bear any affinity to that of any other school then active locally.[2] Despite the fact that he seems to have been the leading painter of his time in Cologne, no evidence of any followers, or of a school in the usual sense, may be found.[1]

Baptism of Christ, National Gallery of Art

A number of influences, mainly Netherlandish, have been traced in the Master's paintings. These include

Dirck Bouts and Rogier van der Weyden,[4][5] whose influence may be seen in the Munich Madonna and Child with Saint Anne. Stylistically, the Master's paintings are characterized by their use of bright, enamel-like colors[5] and an affinity to the International Gothic style of painting.[6]

Career

Almost nothing is known of his life, including his name; nevertheless, his hand is distinctive enough that scholars have found it fairly easy to trace his career.

Carthusian monk in the picture indicates a possible connection to the Carthusian monastery in that city.[1] The identity of the Master remains unknown; it has been suggested, given the number of commissions he executed for the Carthusian order, that he may have been a member himself.[1]

Descent from the Cross (National Gallery, London)

It is now believed that, despite his associations with Cologne, and with

diocese of Utrecht; nevertheless, certain oddities of language indicate an affinity with Arnhem, which was also the home of the donor.[1]

Other early works, dated to the 1480s, include an

Antonite brothers in Paris.[8]

Collections

The Master's work may be found in a number of international museum collections. Three panels from the altarpiece which gave him his name are in the

Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne.[12] A Death of the Virgin formerly in Berlin is now lost.[6]

Gallery

  • Nativity
    Nativity
  • Saint Thomas Altarpiece
    Saint Thomas Altarpiece
  • Holy Family
    Holy Family
  • Virgin with Angels
    Virgin with Angels

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j NGA
  2. ^ a b c d e Getty
  3. Wallraf-Richartz Museum
    .
  4. ^ WGA
  5. ^ a b Cartage Archived 2007-03-25 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b it:Maestro dell'Altare di san Bartolomeo
  7. ^ Pieper 2000.
  8. ^ Marjorie O'Rourke Boyle, "Coquette at the Cross? Magdalen in the Master of the Bartholomew Altar's Deposition 59.4 (1996:573-577).
  9. ^ National Gallery
  10. ^ Boston
  11. ^ Philadelphia Museum of Art
  12. ^ Wallraf-Richartz Museum
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Further reading

in English

in German

External links

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