Retable with scenes from the life of Saint Andrew

Master of Roussillon (active 1385-1428)

Item type:

painting

Date of creation:

ca. 1420–1430

Height:

313.1 cm  (123 1/4 in.)

Width:

314.0 cm  (123 5/8 in.)

Technique / Medium:

tempera and gold on wood

Place of creation:

Cataluña

Description

Physically imposing but delicately painted, this large altarpiece, which retains much of its original frame, is notable for its skillful use of color, careful design, and rich narrative content—for example, the various species of fish in the scene at the upper left. The uppermost image, above the bearded figure of the apostle Saint Andrew in the center, is of the Enthroned Virgin and Child with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Mary Magdalen, and angels. The other panels illustrate various episodes of Andrew's life taken from the thirteenth-century Golden Legend. The upper left panel depicts the calling of Saint Andrew, with the punishment of a wicked mother, below. In the upper right is his crucifixion, and below that he is seen saving a bishop from the devil disguised as a fair woman. The predella depicts six additional scenes (one is lost) flanking a central image of Christ as the Man of Sorrows. From left to right, these are: Saint Andrew and the woman who prayed to Diana on behalf of her sister; a woman bringing the saint to her sister; Andrew driving away devils in the forms of dogs; Andrew raising a dead youth; and Andrew bringing drowned Men to life. [From Metropolitan Museum of Art website]

People as subjects

St. Andrew
St. Mary (Blessed Virgin)
St. Mary Magdalene
Jesus Christ
St. Catherine of Alexandria (ca. 282-ca. 305)

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Harp [3285]

Musical works

legible music notation

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

RIdIM record id

3628