Coronation of the Virgin
Master of the Fröndenberg Altar
1410
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Master of the Fröndenberg Altar
1410
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Coronation of the Virgin is a 1410 unspecified by Master of the Fröndenberg Altar, a Northern Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a golden throne with Christ placing a crown on Mary’s head while angels and saints look on. The scene glows with rich reds and blues, framed by delicate arches. This painting once sat in a convent in Fröndenberg, Germany—part of a larger altarpiece. The moment isn’t from the Bible but was a favorite in medieval prayer books, meant to inspire quiet reflection. If you like this quiet, glowing style, look up the subject germany for more works from the same time and place.
This panel once formed the left wing of an altarpiece originally located in a Cistercian convent in the German town of Fröndenberg. The Coronation of the Virgin was a common subject; though it is not based on a biblical text it often appeared in medieval books of hours as a focus of contemplation. It represents the culminating event in the life of Mary. Here, Christ and the Virgin are housed in an architectural setting; the Virgin kneels before Christ as he crowns her in the company of a group of angels. The color palette is particularly rich: pink, deep red, blue, and a delicate green as…
This is only one panel from what would have been a large altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Master of the Fröndenberg Altar was a German artist.
See the richer artist page
