Miniature Altar. Triptych with the Passion of Christ by Adam Dirksz.

Miniature Altar. Triptych with the Passion of Christ 1498 - 1501

natural stone pattern

wood texture

toned paper

pottery

sculpture

sculptural image

stoneware

wooden texture

metal and woodwork

watercolor

This miniature altar, created by Adam Dirksz. between 1498 and 1501, is a small but intricate triptych depicting the Passion of Christ. The intricately carved wooden panels showcase the skill of the Northern Renaissance artist, with detailed scenes of Christ's crucifixion and burial. The triptych's compact size, measuring only 14.1 cm in height and 11.6 cm in width, suggests it was intended for private devotion. The work, now housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, is a testament to the religious fervor of the era and the artistic talent of Adam Dirksz.

Comments

statensmuseumforkunst about 1 year ago

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When the two side panels of this small altar are closed you can see the images of saints on the back: the Virgin and Child with St. Anne, and probably St Sebastian. Why these particular saints? Maybe they were chosen by the people who commissioned the work? The small altar belonged the married Netherlandish couple Mariken Ockersdr Halling and Jacob Hugensz Quekel. We know this because they are depicted kneeling in prayer on the side panels of the base, carved in low relief like the figures of saints. Maybe these saints had a particular meaning for the couple, or were their patron saints? We do not know exactly when the artist Adam Dircksz lived, but we do know that Jacob Hugensz Quekel died in 1528, so we have to assume the small altar was made before then.