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Probably by the Master of Liesborn, 'The Crucifixion with Saints', about 1465-90

About the work

This panel comes from the Benedictine abbey at Liesborn in Westphalia. The scene may have been inspired by the central panel of the altarpiece made by the same artist for the abbey’s high altar, fragments of which are also in the National Gallery’s collection.

Its horizontal shape suggests that it might have been made as a predella (the lowest part of an altarpiece). The crucified Christ is flanked on either side by saints. On the left are Saints Scholastica, Mary Magdalene and Anne, and finally, closest to Christ, the Virgin Mary. Saint Anne cradles a miniature Virgin and Christ Child in her arms in reference to her conception of Mary.

Saint John the Evangelist stands immediately to the right of Christ. He is accompanied by Saints Andrew, Benedict and Agnes. Saint Andrew carries the X-shaped cross upon which he was martyred, and Saint Agnes is accompanied by a lamb, her attribute (her name means ‘lamb’ in Latin).

Key facts

Full title
The Crucifixion with Saints
Artist
Probably by the Master of Liesborn
Artist dates
active second half of the 15th century
Date made
about 1465-90
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
38.4 × 118.4 cm
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1854
Inventory number
NG262
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.

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