This work belongs to a main work and consists of multiple parts

Exterior Wings of the Frankfurt Dominican Altarpiece, 1501

Gesamtmaß mit Rahmen: 349.0 x 322.0 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on spruce

Inventory Number: HM 6-9

Acquisition: On permanent loan from Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main since 1922

Status: See Parts

Texts

About the Work

Unlike the Passion scenes displayed by the Dominican altarpiece after its first opening, the picture we see when it is closed is iconographically highly unusual. On the left are the forebears of Jesus shown as half-length figures inhabiting a vine sprouting from the enthroned originator of the lineage, Jesse. The right side presents the saints of the Dominican order linked by a vine emanating from its founder, likewise enthroned. This is pure propaganda for the order – and Holbein has even given the saints the features of the Frankfurt Dominican friars!

Audio & Video

Basic information

01:01
Focus on Frankfurt

01:35
Focus on art history

01:51
Focus on material

01:50

Gastkommentar: Kirchliche Macht und weltliches Recht mit Rechtshistoriker Thomas Duve

Was sieht ein Rechtshistoriker in den Werken der Städel Sammlung? In diesem Gastkommentar eröffnet Thomas Duve (Direktor am Max-Planck-Institut für europäische Rechtsgeschichte) seine individuelle Sichtweise auf die Kunstwerke im Städel Museum. Er schaut sich den "Stammbaum der Dominikaner" von Hans Holbein d. Ä. an und führt aus, warum der Dominikanerorden von besonderer Bedeutung für die Rechtsgeschichte war. Am Beispiel von Johannes Vermeers "Der Geograf" blickt er auf das Delft des 17. Jahrhunderts und die Ausbildung von informellen Imperien. Mehr Infos unter: https://www.staedelmuseum.de/de/angebote/gastkommentar Die Werke in unserer Digitalen Sammlung Hans Holbein d. Ä., Stammbaum der Dominikaner (1501): https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/de/werk/werktagsseite-des-frankfurter-dominikaneraltars Johannes Vermeer, Der Geograf (1669): https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/de/werk/der-geograf

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Exterior Wings of the Frankfurt Dominican Altarpiece

Painter

Hans Holbein the Elder

Altar: High Altar of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt

Panel: Tree of Jesse; High Altar of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt: Tree of Jesse; Lineage of the Dominican Order; Lineage of the Dominican Order

Period Produced

16th century

School

Renaissance

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on spruce

Material

spruce wood

Technique

mixed technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Bezeichnet unten rechts: Anno [...] Mo Vo Primo [...] Hans Hoilbayn de Augusta Me Pinxit.

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Administration

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

permanent loan

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Dauerleihgabe des Historischen Museums Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: On permanent loan from Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main since 1922

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Illustrated Passage

siehe Einzeldarstellung

Iconclass

Primary

42G1 family lineage, pedigree, genealogical tree or table
73A21 tree of Jesse: genealogical tree showing Christ's ancestors, sprouting from Jesse's loins
11FF4222 Mary sitting or enthroned, the Christ-child sitting on her knee (Christ-child to Mary's left) - FF - the Christ-child to Mary's right
11P315(DOMINICANS) monastic orders, monastic life: Dominicans
11F4222 Mary sitting or enthroned, the Christ-child sitting on her knee (Christ-child to Mary's left)
11H(DOMINIC) Dominic(us) Guzman of Calerueja, founder of the Order of Preachers (or Dominican (Black) Friars; possible attributes: book, dog with flaming torch, lily, loaf of bread, rosary, star