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Circle of the Master of Liesborn, 'Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome', about 1465-90

About the work

This panel once formed the left shutter of an altarpiece in the Benedictine abbey at Liesborn in north-west Germany. The right-hand shutter, which shows Saints Gregory, Maurice and Augustine, is also in the National Gallery’s collection.

Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome are shown here beneath a vaulted Gothic ceiling, its structure is defined by red articulating ribs. It is probably intended to resemble a church interior. Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, appears on the left in liturgical dress, including a mitre (hat) and a crosier which, as it resembles a shepherd’s crook, symbolises his role as shepherd of Christians. Saint Exuperius is shown in armour, a reference to his role in the Theban legion of the Roman army; its members all converted to Christianity in the fourth century. They were led by Saint Maurice, who appears in the centre of the opposite shutter. Saint Jerome stands with the lion that, according to legend, became his companion after he removed a thorn from its paw.

Key facts

Full title
Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome
Artist
Circle of the Master of Liesborn
Artist dates
active second half of the 15th century
Part of the series
Two Shutters from an Altarpiece
Date made
about 1465-90
Medium and support
oil, originally on wood, transferred to canvas
Dimensions
120 × 67.9 cm
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1854
Inventory number
NG254
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

About the series: Two Shutters from an Altarpiece

Circle of the Master of Liesborn, 'Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome', about 1465-90

These two panels once formed the shutters of an altarpiece in the Benedictine abbey in Liesborn, a town in the north-western German region of Westphalia. Placed on either side of the centrepiece, the shutters would protect and conceal it when closed.

The artist’s identity is unknown, but he has been named after the altarpiece that he made for the high altar of the same church. Several fragments of the high altarpiece are in the National Gallery’s collection.

Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome
Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome
Circle of the Master of Liesborn
This panel once formed the left shutter of an altarpiece in the Benedictine abbey at Liesborn in north-west Germany. The right-hand shutter, which shows Saints Gregory, Maurice and Augustine, is also in the National Gallery’s collection.Saints Ambrose, Exuperius and Jerome are shown here beneath...
Not on display
Saints Gregory, Maurice and Augustine
Saints Gregory, Maurice and Augustine
Circle of Master of Liesborn
This panel once formed the left shutter of an altarpiece in the Benedictine abbey at Liesborn in north-west Germany. The right-hand shutter is also in the National Gallery’s collection.This painting shows, from left to right, Saints Gregory, Maurice and Augustine. The gilded clasp that fastens Sa...
Not on display

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