Anthony the Great, Carved Altarpieces Southern Germany

Bode Museum

The painting depicts an elderly, bearded male saint dressed in a dark, hooded cloak over a reddish-brown or burgundy garment. He is shown in a profile view, facing to the left.

He holds a long staff topped with a Tau cross (a T-shaped cross), a symbol used in Christian iconography. A small animal, possibly a dog or a pig, is visible at the very bottom left, looking up at him.

The background is composed of gold leaf applied to a gessoed wooden panel. A simple, radiating halo of gold lines is visible behind the saint's head.

The painting is enclosed in an old, ornate wooden frame with a gold finish.

The figure's attributes—the Tau cross and the presence of a companion animal—are the primary symbols of Saint Anthony the Great (also known as St. Anthony Abbot or Anthony of Egypt), the patron saint of monks.

Carved Altarpieces Southern Germany

English Translation:

Carinthia (Villach)

around 1520

Winged Altarpiece with Saints and the Holy Family

Figures made of linden wood, original version

From Rabensdorf near Feldkirchen (Carinthia).

The painting by the master of the Flitschler altar.

Acquire 1904 | Gift Edward Simon | Sculpture Collection | inventory No. 2770

Original Text:

Kärnten (Villach)

um 1520

Flügelretabel mit Heiligen und der Heiligen Familie Winged Altarpiece with Saints and the Holy Family

Figuren aus Lindenholz, ursprüngliche Fassung

Aus Rabensdorf bei Feldkirchen (Kärnten).

Die Malerei vom Meister des Flitschler Altars.

Erwerben 1904 | Geschenk Eduard Simon | Skulpturensammlung | Inv. Nr. 2770

This is located in Bode Museum.

Supplementary images:

Detail of the Carved altarpieces southern Germany, Saint Anthony with Tau Cross staff, located in Bode Museum.

Taken on Tuesday 06th of August 2019

Device: Google

Model: Pixel 3 XL

Genre: Around 1520

Source: Berlin, Germany

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