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1 of 253523 objects
GB Monogrammist (d. 1574)
Nativity c.1544-74?
Oil on panel | 35.8 x 28.9 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405785
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The Virgin kneels with her hair flowing over her shoulders; the Christ Child lies on the ground aglow within a halo, while Joseph holds a lamp the light of which is feeble by comparison. The miracle of the radiant Christ Chrild derives from the vision of the fourteenth-century Swedish mystic St Bridget. Angels entertain the Child with music and hold a banner above with the words 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' (Glory to God in the highest').
This work is one of several, obviously by the same artist, which bear the monogram signature 'GB'; this may be Guillaume Benson, an artist documented in Bruges between 1544 and late 1574. Even if GB does not stand for Benson it is still probable from the style of the works that they were painted in Bruges at this time.
Signed with monogram: GBProvenance
One of the group of early Flemish works from the 77 paintings belonging to Prince Ludwig von Oettingen-Wallerstein (1791-1870), which were first offered to Prince Albert in 1847 as security for a loan and came into his possession by default (no 47 in Waagen’s catalogue of 1854); 25 of them were accepted by the National Gallery in 1863
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on panel
Measurements
35.8 x 28.9 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
57.0 x 50.5 x 4.2 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
