Chalice of Saint John the Evangelist [reverse]

Niederländische Malerei 1445–1530, c. 1470/1475

A gold chalice holding a thin, green serpent sits in an arched niche in this vertical painting. Light falls across the chalice from our right so it casts a shadow in the shallow gray stone niche. The chalice has a flaring, six-lobed foot, and a knob on the stem is set with red and green, diamond-shaped stones. The slender green snake drapes inside the cup’s round bowl. The serpent’s mouth is open and tongue flicks out to our right, and the tail hangs out of the chalice to our left.
Artist
Niederländische Malerei 1445–1530
Date
c. 1470/1475
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on panel
Dimensions
30.2 × 23 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

A gold chalice holding a thin, green serpent sits in an arched niche in this vertical painting. Light falls across the chalice from our right so it casts a shadow in the shallow gray stone niche. The chalice has a flaring, six-lobed foot, and a knob on the stem is set with red and green, diamond-shaped stones. The slender green snake drapes inside the cup’s round bowl. The serpent’s mouth is open and tongue flicks out to our right, and the tail hangs out of the chalice to our left.

Niederländische Malerei 1445–1530