ARTWORKS

Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Virgin: Fragment of the Crucifixion Scene

Master of Liesborn (active 1460–1490)

The National Gallery, London

Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Virgin: Fragment of the Crucifixion Scene

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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This is a fragment of an altarpiece made for the high altar of the Benedictine abbey at Liesborn. It comes from the central scene, which depicted the Crucifixion; a fragment showing Christ's head is also in the National Gallery's collection. It was common for Crucifixion scenes to include the Virgin Mary mourning her son beneath the Cross.Beside her are two third-century saints, the brothers Cosmas and Damian, as the altarpiece was dedicated to them, among others. They are richly dressed in fur-trimmed clothing and they hold ointment jars, a reference to their medical expertise. According to their legend they healed many people but did not accept payment for treatment.The fluttering cloth in the top right corner is part of Christ's loincloth; below, we see part of Christ's right leg, details which confirm the position of the fragment in the altarpiece.

The National Gallery, London

London

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Title

Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Virgin: Fragment of the Crucifixion Scene

Date

probably 1470-80

Medium

Oil on canvas, transferred from oak

Measurements

H 54.9 x W 72.1 cm

Accession number

NG261

Acquisition method

Bought, 1854

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Master of Liesborn

active 1460–1490

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