Artwork
Roundel with Saint Lambrecht of Maastricht
Roundel with Saint Lambrecht of Maastricht is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, a roundel, depicts Saint Lambert of Maastricht, presented as a bishop within a landscape setting.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The roundel depicts Saint Lambrecht of Maastricht as a mitred bishop holding a crozier, a closed book, and a sword, while a small pig stands at his feet.
The roundel depicts Saint Lambrecht of Maastricht as a mitred bishop holding a crozier, a closed book, and a sword, while a small pig stands at his feet. The sword and book reference his episcopal authority and scholarly role, while the pig, often associated with Saint Lambert of Maastricht, identifies the saint despite the generic title. The castle in the background likely situates the scene within a local context, possibly linking the saint to Maastricht or reinforcing his pastoral jurisdiction.
Together, these elements convey the bishop's dual identity as both a defender of the faith and a learned shepherd of souls.
History & Provenance
The roundel depicting Saint Lambrecht of Maastricht was executed circa 1515 as an anonymous religious painting. Its composition shows a bishop with a castle, a sword, a book, and a pig. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed at The Cloisters.
The available sources do not document a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor do they record any details of its exhibition history.
Overview
This painting, a roundel, depicts Saint Lambert of Maastricht, presented as a bishop within a landscape setting. The artwork meticulously renders the religious figure, adorned in ecclesiastical vestments and holding symbolic objects. The composition integrates a formal portrayal of the saint with a background that includes architectural and natural elements, offering a detailed and colorful representation of this historical and religious subject.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits a detailed and colorful approach to its subject. Saint Lambert is shown in a formal, upright stance, with a serious expression, his gaze directed forward. His vestments, such as the diamond-patterned cloak and the yellow-bordered robe, are rendered with precision, highlighting textural and decorative elements.
The slender, ornate sword and the background details, a castle, a tree, and a pig, are also carefully delineated, contributing to the artwork's descriptive quality.
Artist & collection
