Altar of the Christian Faith

Deutsche Grafik 1500–1563, 1561

This is a drawing of an ornate diptych with two sculpted portraits on two vertical panels with arch-shaped tops. Each panel features a sculpted portrait of a figure in a classical style, possibly representing allegorical or religious figures. The left panel shows a bearded figure with an intense expression holding an object that resembles a scroll or tablet. The right panel features a figure holding a chalice. Both figures have intricate script written upon the objects they hold. Inscriptions below each figure are framed by ornate scrollwork. The base and top of the panels include additional script resembling passages written in old manuscripts.
Artist
Deutsche Grafik 1500–1563
Date
1561
Type
Drawing
Medium
pen and black ink with gray wash and blue watercolor on laid paper mounted and folded to form miniature design for a triptych alterpiece; script in pen and brown ink
Dimensions
Overall (approximate): 20.3 × 12.5 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

This is a drawing of an ornate diptych with two sculpted portraits on two vertical panels with arch-shaped tops. Each panel features a sculpted portrait of a figure in a classical style, possibly representing allegorical or religious figures. The left panel shows a bearded figure with an intense expression holding an object that resembles a scroll or tablet. The right panel features a figure holding a chalice. Both figures have intricate script written upon the objects they hold. Inscriptions below each figure are framed by ornate scrollwork. The base and top of the panels include additional script resembling passages written in old manuscripts.

Deutsche Grafik 1500–1563