Artwork
Saint Michael; The Mass of Saint Gregory; Saint Jerome
Saint Michael; The Mass of Saint Gregory; Saint Jerome is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1496 by the Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine, this religious work is executed in oil on a panel support.
Created in 1496 by the Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine, this religious work is executed in oil on a panel support. It measures approximately 15.9 cm in height and 9.5 cm in width, a compact format typical of devotional objects of the period. The painting depicts three subjects, Saint Michael, the Mass of Saint Gregory, and Saint Jerome, rendered with the detailed precision characteristic of late fifteenth-century Netherlandish religious art.
The oil-on-panel medium allows for the rich coloration and fine brushwork associated with this master, and the small dimensions suggest it was intended for private devotion.
History & Provenance
Created in 1496, this oil-on-panel work depicting Saint Michael, the Mass of Saint Gregory, and Saint Jerome was executed by the Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art following a period of ownership by Edward Habich, and was previously included in the Exposition des primitifs flamands à Bruges, a landmark early display of Flemish primitive painting. The panel measures 15.9 cm in height by 9.5 cm in width and is classified as religious art. No specific accession number is recorded in the available sources.
Context
Saint Michael; The Mass of Saint Gregory; Saint Jerome, attributed to the Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine and dated to 1496, exemplifies late fifteenth-century Netherlandish religious painting, combining devotional imagery of Saint Michael and the Mass of Saint Gregory with the figure of Saint Jerome. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and prior display at the Exposition des primitifs flamands à Bruges reflect its place within the study of early Netherlandish panel painting.
Overview
The Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine, an anonymous artist from the late 15th century active in Brussels, completed this oil painting in 1496. Titled Saint Michael; The Mass of Saint Gregory; Saint Jerome, the work is a religious triptych. It brings together three distinct sacred narratives, characteristic of Northern Renaissance art, and is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
This triptych presents three devotional scenes. The central panel illustrates Saint Michael, depicted as an angel triumphing over a dragon, a common representation of good overcoming evil. To the left, a group of figures participates in the Mass of Saint Gregory, a vision where Christ appeared on the altar.
The right panel features Saint Jerome, identifiable by his cardinal's robes, staff, and often accompanied by a lion, though here a small dog is present.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine
The Master of the Legend of Saint Catherine (or the Master of the Saint Catherine Legend) is the notname for an unknown late 15th century Early Netherlandish painter.
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Drieluik met de kruisiging
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Diptych with the Passion of Christ
Four Evangelists
Triptych with the Lamentation (centre panel), the donor with St Peter (inner left wing), the donor’s wife with St Paul (inner right wing) and the donors’ coats of arms (outer wings)
Annunciation
The Penitence of Saint Jerome
The Annunciation
