The Little Garden of Paradise, ca. 1410 – 1420

Malfläche: 25.6 x 32.8 cm
Bildträger: 26.3 x 33.4 x 0.6 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on oak

Inventory Number: HM 54

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

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 3

Texts

About the Work

In unparalleled manner, the courtly charm of the Late Gothic, so-called Soft Style unites in this work with the realistic observation of nature: twenty-four plant and twelve bird species are precisely identifiable. The artist was evidently also quite knowledgeable about the behaviour of animals. The theme is a gathering in paradise attended by the Virgin and Child and a number of saints. Elements of the sacred ‘hortus conclusus’ (‘closed garden’) – an allusion to Mary’s virginity – are skilfully combined with motifs from secular castle and love gardens.

Audio & Video

Basic information

01:28
Focus on Frankfurt

02:04
Focus on art history

02:04
Highlights of the Städel Collection

02:13

Kunst|Stück – Oberrheinischer Meister: Das Paradiesgärtlein

Sammlungshighlights des Städel Museums in unterhaltsamen und informativen Filmen – das sind die Kunst|Stücke. Entdecken Sie spannende Details zu Kunstwerken aus ungewöhnlichen Blickwinkeln in unter zwei Minuten. Oberrheinischer Meister: Das Paradiesgärtlein (um 1410–20), Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main. https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/de/werk/das-paradiesgaertlein#yt

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: The Little Garden of Paradise

Painter

Upper Rhenish Master ca. 1410/20

Period Produced

15th century

School

Late Middle Ages

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on oak

Material

oak wood

Technique

mixed technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

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

Associated Source

Bibel, Altes Testament, Genesis 2,9

Iconclass

Primary

11F4231 Madonna in the rose-garden, 'Paradiesgärtlein'
41A635 fenced or walled garden; 'Hortus Conclusus'
11F23 upright figures of Mary without the Christ-child
11D25 Christ-child together with others
49N reading
31A2351 sitting on the ground
11HH(DOROTHEA) the virgin martyr Dorothea of Caesarea; possible attributes: basket of roses and apples, child with basket of roses, garland of roses, roses in hand or lap
11HH(CATHERINE) the virgin martyr Catherine of Alexandria; possible attributes: book, crown, emperor Maxentius, palm-branch, ring, sword, wheel
11HH(BARBARA) the virgin martyr Barbara; possible attributes: book, cannon(ball), crown, cross, chalice with wafer, Dioscuros (her father), peacock feather, sword, torches, mason's tools, tower
11G183 the Archangel Michael (often in armour with sword or lance)
11H(GEORGE) the warrior martyr George (Georgius); possible attributes: banner (red cross on white field), (red) cross, dragon, (white) horse, broken lance, shield (with cross), sword
61B2(OSWALD (König von Northumbria)) historical person (OSWALD (König von Northumbria))