The Landauer Altarpiece: About The Banner I Chose For My Blog

I chose the Landauer Altarpiece for the banner on my blog. Here is some info on the painting.

"This work was commissioned by the Nuremberg metal trader Matthäus Landauer. Also known as the Landauer Altarpiece, it was ordered for the chapel of the Twelve-Brothers House, which he endowed for a dozen impoverished artisans.  In the centre of the painted panel at the top is the Trinity. God the Father is shown as emperor, holding Christ on the Cross and surmounted by the dove of the Holy Ghost. Around the figure of God are two rings of angels. Below them, to the right, are Old Testament figures and, to the left, followers of Christ bearing palm branches. Nearer the base of the picture are the slightly larger figures of the living, led by the Pope (with a blue tiara) and the Emperor (with a golden crown). The grey-haired figure of Matthäus Landauer, the donor, is depicted on the left, being welcomed into the throng by the outstretched hand of a cardinal.  The landscape at the bottom of the panel stretches into the far distance. A lone figure stands on the land - the artist, who has depicted the earthly community being reunited with the realm of heaven. His hand rests on a panel which is inscribed: `Albrecht Dürer of Nuremberg made this 1511 years after the Virgin.'  Dürer also designed an ornate frame for the altarpiece. An early drawing for the frame and panel is dated 1508 and shows that they were a carefully designed ensemble. The frame still survives in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg, although unfortunately it has long been separated from the painting. (The frame shown in the reproduction is an exact replica of the original.) Made of carved and painted wood, the top of the frame has a sculpted depiction of the Last Jjudgment, with God enthroned and surrounded by the kneeling figures of the Virgin and John the Baptist. An inscription on the base of the frame records: `Matthäus Landauer has finally completed the house of worship of the Twelve Bretheren including the donation of this panel. After Christ's birth, the year 1511.' Dürer's workshop also designed stained-glass windows for the Twelve-Brothers Chapel, but these were removed in 1810 and were destroyed in Berlin during the Second World War."

From: http://www.wga.hu/html_m/d/durer/1/07/landaue.html

So, why did I choose this? First of all, I love the Trinitarian aspect of the painting. The Father, Son, and Spirit are all present here, along with many saints of old. I also think the image of the crucifix is something that is important since it shows us what God did to take care of our sin. God had to die on a cross. The painting is also a very beautiful piece of Christian artwork from the Reformation era. Albrecht Durer, a Roman Catholic, was very sympathetic to Luther and the Lutherans as well.

Draped around the picture and in the accents of the blog, I chose to use the liturgical color of the church season. On the outside borders, I inserted an oil painting of the sky and clouds that closely matches the center of the altarpiece.

The banner itself was created by a friend who knows how to do those sorts of things. Raise your hand, Jennifer!

Grace and Peace