Artwork

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels, unspecified, 1440
The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels, unspecified, 1440

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1440 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting known as The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels was created in 1440 by an anonymous artist.

The painting known as The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels was created in 1440 by an anonymous artist. It is a religious work currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece measures 337.2 cm in height and 71.8 cm in width.

No specific details regarding the original commission, patron, or the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are provided in the available records.

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Its accession number is 37.52.3, under which the work is catalogued in the museum’s collection. The painting, attributed to an anonymous hand, was created in 1440 and measures 337.2 cm in height by 71.8 cm in width.

The work is classified as a religious painting. The available records do not list any documented exhibitions of the work.

Overview

This stained-glass panel presents a devotional scene centered on the Virgin Mary, flanked by standing saints, positioned above narrative predella panels. The composition is vertically structured, with the principal figures occupying the upper register. Below, smaller, detailed scenes unfold, likely illustrating episodes from a sacred story. The artwork is characterized by its vibrant color scheme and intricate detailing typical of its medium.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork's primary focus is the Virgin Mary, distinguished by her halo and central position, holding a spherical object. She is accompanied by five standing saints, identifiable by their traditional attributes, such as staffs and a book. Below these figures, a series of smaller predella panels likely illustrate specific narrative episodes, though their details are finely rendered. This hierarchical composition underscores the Virgin's central role in Christian devotion.

Technique & Style

This work is rendered in stained glass, employing a palette of deep blues, vibrant reds, and shimmering golds. Intricate black outlines define the figures and decorative motifs, a fundamental aspect of the medium that separates and articulates individual glass sections. Pointed arches and swirling patterns frame the central figures, contributing to the panel's ornate visual texture. This detailed execution creates a luminous effect, characteristic of devotional art crafted in glass.

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels
The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels?

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels?

The Virgin Mary and Five Standing Saints above Predella Panels is associated with Early Renaissance.