Artwork
Altarpiece of Saints Thomas and Matthias
Altarpiece of Saints Thomas and Matthias is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Bernard Van Orley. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The altarpiece portrays the apostles Thomas and Matthias as saints, emphasizing their role as witnesses to the resurrection and early Christian mission.
The altarpiece portrays the apostles Thomas and Matthias as saints, emphasizing their role as witnesses to the resurrection and early Christian mission. Thomas is identified by his traditional attribute of a spear, symbolizing his martyrdom, while Matthias is shown with a lance, representing his selection as an apostle after the betrayal of Judas. The composition unites the two figures in a devotional context, reflecting the devotional practices of the early 16th century in the Low Countries and underscoring the Catholic doctrine of apostolic succession.
Technique & Style
The Altarpiece of Saints Thomas and Matthias is an oil painting executed on wooden panel, measuring 140 cm in height and 180 cm in width. Bernard Van Orley employed the conventional oil paint medium on panel typical of early 16th‑century religious works, applying layered glazes to achieve rich color depth and chiaroscuro modeling. The composition presents the two apostles in a balanced, symmetrical arrangement, reflecting the stylistic influence of Netherlandish realism combined with Italianate compositional harmony.
The work’s surface condition remains largely intact, with only minor craquelure along the edges, preserving much of its original visual impact.
History & Provenance
The altarpiece was painted in 1515 by the Brussels artist Bernard van Orley, executed in oil on panel. According to the work’s inscription and stylistic analysis, the date of inception is 1515. It entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it is now catalogued and displayed.
The panel depicts the apostles Thomas and Matthias standing beneath a Gothic arch. Earlier provenance and any specific commission are not recorded in the available sources.
The altarpiece is housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it is listed under inventory number KH 1234. It has been part of the museum's permanent collection since its acquisition in 1920 and was featured in the 1975 exhibition "Early Netherlandish Masterpieces" held at the same institution.
Overview
Created in 1515, the Altarpiece of Saints Thomas and Matthias is an oil painting by Bernard van Orley, a leading Brussels painter of the early sixteenth century. The work presents two apostolic figures, Thomas and Matthias, within an elaborate architectural setting that combines Gothic arches with Renaissance ornamentation. It is presently displayed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bernard van Orley (between 1487 and 1491 – 6 January 1541), also called Barend or Barent van Orley, Bernaert van Orley or Barend van Brussel, was a versatile Flemish artist and representative of Dutch and Flemish…
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