Altar of Martyrs, Xanten, Detail

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 15 April 2008 in Art & Design.

The big winged altar we've already visited a few weeks ago in detail. Created in Antwerp, 1525. The bust in the predella contains venerable relics.

Comments (10)

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

This image brought tears to my eyes, it is so very beautiful ( the only other time that something like this has made me cry, was when I visited the Vatican, I was crying and shaking all through the visit I was so overwhelmed) For as long as I can remember I have always had a love and a passion for religous art and architecture. Thank you so much MS for bringing us such wonderful pieces of spiritual art.

15 Apr 2008 5:11am

@MaryB: Thank you so much, Mary! I had a similar experience in Florence, Italy, when I strolled through the streets, galleries and museums. This really opened my eyes and infected me with the fine arts virus. So you may rest assured that there's much more to come :-)
(But I hope you also like my plant shots! :-)

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

This one has a lot of detail! Excellent work

15 Apr 2008 6:44am

@Ina: After the high altar this one is second biggest of St. Victor's. Quite an impressive piece of art!

Tracey from White Hall, United States

So incredibly ornate. So much for the eyes to see. I could look and look at this all day!

15 Apr 2008 7:30am

@Tracey: It's made for that ;-)

Michael from Wuppertal, Germany

Unglaublich schöne Detailvielfalt! Bin mal wieder sprachlos!

15 Apr 2008 10:14am

@Michael: Am verblüffendsten ist die hohe Dichte an Altären in Xanten. Gibt's sonst nur in den großen Kathedralen oder im Süddeutschen.

Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary

As amazing as some weeks before! ;)
Thanks!

15 Apr 2008 2:45pm

@Porcsin: The main thing is that you like it :)

Brites from Lisboa, Portugal

Magnificent details.

15 Apr 2008 3:28pm

@Brites: It was almost too light there, I'll return to there on a less sunny day.

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

Fabulous details!!!

15 Apr 2008 5:23pm

@Jen: Thank you, Jen. It's really impressive, I didn't count the figures, but I think this altar would be on the high score list.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

The details is just fantastic, it really shows how art has also changed.

15 Apr 2008 8:18pm

@JoeB: A rather seldom piece of art; most of them have been burnt by iconoclasts later.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Nice altarpiece. I wonder how much this would go for on Ebay?

17 Apr 2008 11:18am

@Twelvebit: Not much. Elitist antique markets would attract a more sound public. And if you think about monuments from Egypt or Greece (pillars of temples, friezes, statues), it would be much more lucrative to sell it in individual parts.
No, I didn't write that, I wouldn't even think about that...