Artwork
Saint Alban of Mainz
Saint Alban of Mainz is an oil painting. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across bottom: (cross) Sanctus (cross) Albannus (cross); on back of glove: (decorative element); on clip of pennant: (decorative element)
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1512 by an unidentified Tyrolean artist of the 16th century, this religious painting is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support.
Created in 1512 by an unidentified Tyrolean artist of the 16th century, this religious painting is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. The work presents a tall, narrow format, measuring 155.6 cm in height and 51.7 cm in width. As a piece of devotional art from the early German Renaissance period, the medium and dimensions reflect the traditional materials and structural choices typical of altar pieces or standalone devotional images produced in the Tyrol region during this era.
History & Provenance
The painting Saint Alban of Mainz is dated to 1512 based on its inscription and is attributed to a Tyrolean artist active in the early sixteenth century. The work entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1972 as a gift from Mrs. Joanne Freedman, who had owned it in Washington by 1972. The painting’s early provenance prior to Freedman’s ownership is not documented in the available sources.
The painting Saint Alban of Mainz is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It entered the museum's inventory in 1972 as a gift from Mrs. Joanne Freedman, who had owned the work in the capital by that year. The artwork was acquired following her death in 1982, though the transfer to the gallery occurred during her lifetime. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available records, nor is there documentation of past exhibitions for this piece.
Overview
This oil on panel painting, titled Saint Alban of Mainz, presents a richly dressed saint. He is depicted holding both a sword and a severed head, elements that often signify martyrdom or significant life events within Christian iconography. The work exhibits characteristics of Renaissance art, particularly in its detailed rendering and realistic approach to the figure and his elaborate garments.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, Saint Alban, is portrayed in luxurious red robes accented with gold, complemented by a matching hat and a crisp white collar. His opulent attire, along with the gold-patterned wall behind him, conveys a sense of importance and veneration. The sword and severed head are powerful symbols, typically alluding to the saint's ultimate sacrifice or a pivotal moment in his narrative.
Artist & collection
