Artwork
Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll. Katharina und Barbara
Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll. Katharina und Barbara is an unspecified painting by Thoman Burgkmair. It dates from 1493 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Their presence on the altarpiece’s exterior underscores their protective role within Christian iconography, appealing to viewers’ piety and intercessory prayer.
The exterior wings of the winged altarpiece depict two female saints in half-length view. On the left is Saint Catherine of Alexandria, identifiable by her crown and the broken wheel, the instrument of her martyrdom. On the right stands Saint Barbara, distinguished by her tower and the chalice she holds, symbols tied to her legend.
These figures represent early Christian virgin martyrs venerated in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. Their presence on the altarpiece’s exterior underscores their protective role within Christian iconography, appealing to viewers’ piety and intercessory prayer.
Technique & Style
The artwork is classified as a painting created by Thoman Burgkmair, serving as the outer wing of a cross altarpiece with a religious genre. The piece depicts Saints Catherine of Alexandria and Barbara. It is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.
The physical dimensions of the panel measure 70.2 cm in height and 50.3 cm in width. No further details regarding specific materials, ground layers, brushwork techniques, or current conservation status are provided in the available sources.
History & Provenance
The painting Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll. Katharina und Barbara by Thoman Burgkmair is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently located in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the work, nor do they document any exhibition history.
Overview
Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll. Katharina und Barbara is a c. 1493 religious painting by Thoman Burgkmair, featuring Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Barbara, housed at the Alte Pinakothek.
Context
Saints Catherine and Barbara were frequently depicted together in medieval and early Renaissance art due to their shared themes of martyrdom, learning, and feminine virtue, appealing to the devotional practices and values of the time.
Artist & collection
Flügel eines Kreuzaltares, Außenseite: Die hll. Helena und Sebastian
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Der Dreikönigsaltar Außentafeln: Die Heiligen Katharina und Agnes
Santa Catarina e Santa Margarida
Beschneidungsaltar: Die hll. Columba, Ursula und Agnes
Saints Achatius, Barbara, Apollonia, and Sebald
Beweinungsaltar: Hl. Katharina mit Stifterin
The Annunciation
Mary (after The Ghent Altarpiece)
De HH. Elizabeth van Hongarije, Catharina van Alexandrië en Dorothea