Altar of the Early Church Fathers

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Altar of the Early Church Fathers by Michael Pacher

Michael Pacher (1435-1498)
Altar of the Early Church Fathers (C. 1480)

Cedar, 212 x 100 cm
Acquired in 1812 during secularization from Neustift near Brixen
Inv. no. 2597

Altar of the Early Church Fathers (C. 1480)

Michael Pacher (1435-1498)

Life and Work

The altarpiece of the Early Church Fathers from the Church the Augustinian Canons at Neustift near Brixen shows the four most important scholars of the Western Church with their legend-related attributes: Jerome with the lion, from whose paw he is extracting a thorn; Augustine with the child who convinced him of the impossibility of fathoming the mystery of the Holy Trinity; Pope Gregory the Great with Emperor Trajan who he redeemed from purgatory through prayer; Ambrose with the child who demanded that he be anointed bishop. Four scenes from the legend of St. Augustine, which once made up the back of the wings, are also part of the altarpiece.

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