Predella of the High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt, Hans Holbein the Elder
Hans Holbein the Elder
Predella of the High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt
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This work belongs to a main work and consists of multiple parts

Hans Holbein the Elder

Predella of the High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt, 1501


Gesamtmaß mit Rahmen
76.3 x 277.5 x 5.5 cm
Physical Description
Mixed technique on spruce
Inventory Number
HM 17-20; LG 1
Acquisition
On permanent loan from the Historisches Museum Frankfurt since 1922, Last Supper on permanent loan from the General Association of the Catholic Church Community in Frankfurt am Main since 1964
Status
See Parts

Texts

About the Work

Along with the Crucifixion scene in the now-lost pinnacle that once crowned the altarpiece, the predella (the pedestal on which the main shrine stands) was always on view, regardless of whether it was an ordinary weekday, a Sunday, or a holiday. The images on the predella illustrate the events of the first half of Holy Week, the beginning of Christ’s Passion. The artist has highlighted the scene of the Last Supper by making it larger than the others and prominently placing it in the centre of the composition. Together with the Crucifixion in the pinnacle, the Last Supper formed a striking vertical axis of symbolic imagery that referenced the liturgical re-enactment of the Last Supper and Jesus’ death on the cross in the celebration of the Mass at the high altar in the Dominican Church.

Audio

  • Basic information
    01:01
  • Focus on Frankfurt
    01:35
  • Focus on art history
    01:51
  • Focus on material
    01:50

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Predella of the High Altarpiece of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt
Painter
Altar
High Altar of the Dominican Church in Frankfurt
Panel interior
The Entry into Jerusalem
The Cleansing of the Temple
Christ Washing St Peter's Feet
The Agony in the Garden
The Last Supper
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Mixed technique on spruce
Material
Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Dauerleihgabe des Historischen Museums Frankfurt am Main und des Gesamtverbands der Katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
On permanent loan from the Historisches Museum Frankfurt since 1922, Last Supper on permanent loan from the General Association of the Catholic Church Community in Frankfurt am Main since 1964

Work Content

Iconclass

Primary
  • 73D14 entry into Jerusalem: people spreading their clothes before Christ on the ass, and waving palm branches (Matthew 21:1-11, 21:14-16; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19)
  • 73D15 purification of the temple ('first' and 'second'): Christ driving the money-changers from the temple with a whip (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 12:12-19)
  • 73D231 Christ washes Peter's feet
  • 73D312 Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane during the night
  • 73D31211 agony of Christ; three (or eleven) apostles sleeping
  • 11I72(JUDAS ISCARIOT) Judas Iscariot (not in biblical context)
  • 73D24 Last Supper (in general) (Matthew 26:21-35; Mark 14:18-31; Luke 22:3, 22:15-23; John 13:21-38)
  • 73D242 Judas Iscariot is revealed as Christ's betrayer (communion of Judas)
Secondary
  • 25I1461 city-gate
  • 25G3 trees
  • 46B31 money
  • 41A711 table
  • 11L211 the ten commandments represented together on stone tablets
  • 34B131 bird in a cage
  • 41A33 window
  • 57AA6142 Betrayal
  • 45B the soldier; the soldier's life
  • 41C3 laid table: table-ware, table-decoration, etc.
  • 41C322 mug, beaker, goblet
  • 41C621 bread, loaf
  • 41A7751 container made of plant material other than wood: basket

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Last update

13.03.2024