Artwork
The Line of Saint Anne
The Line of Saint Anne is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Gerard David. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
About this work
The piece depicts the ancestors of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, arranged like a Tree of Jesse—a rare subject for its time.
The Line of Saint Anne is a painting from around 1500, attributed to Gerard David or his workshop. It’s an oil‑on‑panel work that measures about 88 by 69.5 cm.
The piece depicts the ancestors of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, arranged like a Tree of Jesse—a rare subject for its time. It also features a gold ground, a detail that was falling out of fashion in Netherlandish art by the early 1500s.
If you’re curious about more of David’s work, check out the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
Overview
The Line of Saint Anne is a circa 1500 oil-on-panel painting attributed to Gerard David or his workshop, measuring 88 x 69.5 cm. It is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, France, since its acquisition in 1896.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the ancestral lineage of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, arranged in a composition reminiscent of a Tree of Jesse, a subject of unusual focus for its time.
Technique & Style
Notably, the work features a gold ground, a technique that was becoming less common in Netherlandish painting by the early 16th century, underscoring a transitional stylistic moment.
History & Provenance
While Gerard David's direct involvement is confirmed for parts of the painting, the extent of his workshop's contribution remains a point of attribution. The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon acquired the piece in 1896.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerard David (c. 1460 – 13 August 1523) was an Early Netherlandish painter and manuscript illuminator known for his brilliant use of color. Only a bare outline of his life survives, although some facts are known. He may…
Virgin and Child with Four Angels
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The Rest on the Flight into Egypt![The Saint Anne Altarpiece: Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child [middle panel], by Gerard David](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/gerard-david--the-saint-anne-altarpiece-saint-anne-with-the-virgin-and-chi--781e919f9012a004-w320.webp)
The Saint Anne Altarpiece: Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child [middle panel]
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St Anne Altarpiece