Trinity Altarpiece
The Trinity Altarpiece, also known as the Trinity Altar Panels, is a set of four paintings in oil on wood thought to have been commissioned for the Trinity College Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the late fifteenth century.
The work is attributed to the Flemish artist Hugo van der Goes and probably represents the inner and outer panels of the wings of a triptych. The presumed central panel is lost.[1] The painting in the church was described as a "burd" on 17 May 1516 when John Stewart, Duke of Albany made an offering at the high altar on Trinity Sunday.[2]
The work represents a rare example of Scots religious art to have survived the iconoclasm of the Reformation.
The panels are part of the British Royal Art Collection and are displayed at the National Gallery of Scotland.[3]
Description
The four panels depict the following subjects:
- The Holy Trinity.
- A praying cleric, thought to be the contemporary Provost of Trinity College Kirk, Edward Bonkil,[3] accompanied by two angels playing an organ.
- King James III of Scotland at prayer attended by Saint Andrew and a boy who may be the future King James IV.[1] The royal arms of Scotland hang from a wall.
- Queen Margaret of Scotland at prayer attended by Saint Michael. Her royal arms decorate her lectern.
See also
References
- ^ a b The Royal Collection
- ^ Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1903), 79 "for offerand to the He Altar and burd".
- ^ a b National Galleries of Scotland