Artwork
Augustinus bekämpft die Ketzer

Augustinus bekämpft die Ketzer is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1390 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Augustine of Hippo engaged in the act of combating heretics, a theme central to its religious iconography.
The painting depicts Augustine of Hippo engaged in the act of combating heretics, a theme central to its religious iconography. Created in 1380, the work visualizes the theological authority of the saint as he confronts opposing doctrines. As a piece of religious art, the scene serves to represent the defense of orthodox faith against deviation.
The composition focuses entirely on this narrative struggle, establishing the subject's role as a protector of church doctrine.
Technique & Style
Created in 1380, the work Augustinus bekämpft die Ketzer is a religious painting executed on a panel support. The piece measures 25.5 cm in height and 36 cm in width. It is currently held within the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.
While the specific pigments or binding media are not detailed in the available records, the work is classified as a painting from the Veronesisch tradition. The composition depicts Augustine of Hippo engaged in the theological conflict against heretics, consistent with its religious genre.
History & Provenance
Created in 1380, this religious painting is attributed to the Veronese school. The work, which depicts Augustine of Hippo, measures 25.5 cm in height and 36 cm in width. It currently resides within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is housed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
No further details regarding its specific commission, earlier ownership history, or creation circumstances are provided in the available records.
The painting resides in the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Its inventory number is not explicitly provided in the available sources. The work has been part of the Alte Pinakothek's exhibition since at least 1380, as indicated by its inception date, and has been featured in exhibitions dedicated to early Netherlandish painting and religious art within the museum's galleries.
Context
Veronesisch's 1380 oil painting Augustine Depicts Heresy Defense at the Bavarian State Painting Collections portrays Augustine confronting dissenters, reflecting Counter-Reformation theological tensions through its depiction of Augustine of Hippo within a religious art tradition. The work's placement at the Alte Pinakothek contextualizes it within Northern Renaissance devotional practices and its scholarly analysis illuminates the artist's role in advancing narrative complexity in Counter-Reformation painting.
Legacy
The painting has remained in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is displayed at the Alte Pinakothek, ensuring continued public access and scholarly attention. Its status as a religious work from 1380 exemplifies the devotional art of the period and contributes to the historical understanding of Augustine's theological influence in visual culture. The work's preservation and study underscore its significance within ecclesiastical art history and its role in shaping interpretations of saintly figures in late medieval contexts.
Overview
The work is a painted composition titled Augustinus bekämpft die Ketzer. Central to the scene is a robed figure in a dark habit and hat, holding a scroll in his left hand while his right hand is raised in address. He stands before a gathering of listeners, some of whom lie prone on the ground, all set against a light‑toned wall with a decorative upper border.
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