Miniature Altarpiece: Crucifixion

Crucifixion of Christ between the two thieves in the central compartment, set before a vaulted space with four traceried windows. Numerous figures fill the fore- and middle-ground including the Virgin fainting at the foot of the cross with St John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene and six figures on horseback, including Longinus and Stephaton. In the vault above the Cross, almost obscured by the foliate border of the frame, is the half-length figure of God the Father.

Crucifixion; St. Jerome

two circular panels, hinged and folded together
Upper: Crucifixion with fainting Virgin; male and female patrons kneeling at left; above, shield of arms; below, lozenge-shaped arms for the female;
lower half: St Jerome in forest praying before crucifix; hat, cloak and lion behind, church in distance; outside: low relief, Marriage of the Virgin, Virgin and Child with St Elizabeth [NB Marks 1977 says it's St. Anne]
source: British Museum website

"F" The Nine Worthies

Interior has 10 rondels with representations of the Crucifixion and the Nine Worthies all on horseback, all with coats of arms except Hector

3 pagan worthies: Hector, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar; 3 Jewish worthies: Joshua, King David, Judas Macabee; 3 Christian worthies: Charlemagne, King Arthur, Godefroy de Bouillon

The F has been said to be that of Philibert le Beau, Margaret of Austria's second husband, but his name was never spelled with an F. The other hypothesis is that it belonged to François I, e.g., Sauzay, 1861.

The online catalogue raisonné and digital photography made possible through the generous support of Thomson Works of Art