The Master of the Polling Altarpiece Active 1440s

Saint Paul

Details

Artist

The Master of the Polling Altarpiece Active 1440s

Title

Saint Paul

Date

About 1440

Medium

Oil on wood panel

Dimensions

h x w: 934 x 395 mm

Reference

CVCSC:0219.2.N

Collection

Northern European

Status

On Display

The artist derives his name from an altarpiece painted for the Augustinian Canons in the village of Polling, in Upper Bavaria. In these panels made for a separate altarpiece, Saint Peter can be identified by his traditional attribute of the crossed keys of Heaven, whilst Saint Paul holds the sword with which he was martyred. The artist produced highly decorative and intricate surfaces by combining architectural motifs such as the differently coloured tiles, marble pillars and Gothic vaulting, with the rich clothes of the figures. The panels have a gilded background with punched (or ‘pounced’) decoration.

The Master of the Polling Altarpiece Saint Paul About 1440 © Compton Verney