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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.
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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.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Altar of the Christian Faith

Hermann tom Ring

Date
1561
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 x 12.5 cm (8 x 4 15/16 in.) support: 23 x 15.5 cm (9 1/16 x 6 1/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1990.32.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • religious
  • German
Provenance

(Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, Ltd., London); purchased by NGA, 1990.

Inscription

on middle panel, lower left in black ink: ANNO / 1561; lower right in black ink: [artist's monogram]; across left side of central panel in pen and ink: DE TEIN / GEBODE GODES / Du schalt nyne ander / Godde beneuen my hebben / du schalt dy myne Belder / noch eynige gelijckenysse / macken, noch des datt dar / bouen ym Hemmel, noch / des dat dar nedden op der / Eerden, odder des dat ym / Water under der Eerden is. Bedde se nycht ann / und deyne enn nychtt. / Du schalst de namen / des Heren dynes Goddes / nicht vergeues voerenn / Gedencke des Sabbatt / daeges. Dat du ennee / hillygest.; across right side of central panel in pen and ink: EXOD. 22 / DEVTEREN. 5. / Du schalst dine Vader un; SEE COMMENTARY FOR REST

NGA object ID 71460. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.