Artwork Page for Diptych with Scenes from the Life of Saint Martin of Tours: The Consecration of Saint Martin as Bishop (left); Saint Martin Shares his Cloak with a Beggar

Details / Information for Diptych with Scenes from the Life of Saint Martin of Tours: The Consecration of Saint Martin as Bishop (left); Saint Martin Shares his Cloak with a Beggar

Diptych with Scenes from the Life of Saint Martin of Tours: The Consecration of Saint Martin as Bishop (left); Saint Martin Shares his Cloak with a Beggar

1340–1350

Germany, Cologne

Medium
ivory with polychromy and gilding, original silver hinges
Measurements
Overall: 9.2 cm (3 5/8 in.); Closed: 5.2 cm (2 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1971.103
Public Domain
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Location
109 Gothic Painting and Sculpture
Print

Description

This beautiful and well-preserved diptych includes its original polychromy, gilding, and silver hinges, though these are no longer connected. With its lapis background, red roof tiles, and gilded details of the figures’ clothing, the appearance is one of luxuriousness. The diptych provides us with a rare and vivid impression of how such devotional ivories were originally decorated in the 1300s.
A carved and painted ivory diptych features two scenes under pointed arches. On the left, three figures in gold-trimmed miters and robes stand against a blue background. On the right, a figure on horseback slices his cloak with a sword for a man with a crutch. Both panels are topped with red brick patterns and gold finials. Flakes of blue paint have worn away to reveal light brown ivory underneath.

Diptych with Scenes from the Life of Saint Martin of Tours: The Consecration of Saint Martin as Bishop (left); Saint Martin Shares his Cloak with a Beggar

1340–1350

Germany, Cologne

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