Passion Altarpiece

Passion Retable. Oak, polychromy removed. Antwerp, c. 1515 - 1520. On the Medieval altar was set a retable, a framework containing sculpture or a painted panel. The sculptural ensemble reconstructed here originally stood in a framework with wings at the sides. The colour was removed in the 19th century, because such bright decoration no longer accorded with the taste of the time. This retable was made in Antwerp. Between 1480 and 1550 such altarpieces were produced on a large scale there, mainly for export. Figures making expressive gestures and with clearly visible emotions on their faces typify Antwerp sculpture of this period.