The Barnabas Altarpiece
Queen of Heaven nursing her Child |
This painting is worth
sharing but is it art? Art is usually an expression of the time it was created—it
is history. In this case, art is history. The Barnabas Altarpiece was created
during the 13th Century for the Roman Catholic Church. Originally, an
altarpiece was placed in front of the altar with the priest standing behind it
facing the congregation but during this time period the altarpiece was placed
behind the altar with the priest facing the altarpiece. With this particular
altarpiece, makes one wonder the mindset of the priest.
The Barnabas Altarpiece
is considered a triptych because it contains three panels one with St Peter on
one side and St. Paul on the other side with Mary nursing baby Jesus at center.
The panel is set with buildings crowded up behind the frame suggesting the
union of the secular world with the divine. Being one of the earliest surviving
English paintings on wood panel, it defines medieval contemporary style
symbolizing an abstraction of Romanesque art and the naturalism of the mature
Gothic. Although the showing of the “Queen of Heaven” nursing her child is
unusual for that time period, the Roman Catholic, Bishop Barnabas ordered it in
order to display and introduce more tenderness and humanity within the church.
The Barnabas Altarpiece. Painted about 1250-60. |
Looking in hindsight from the 21st
Century, Jesus looks too old to be nursing. Our Lord is pictured holding his
mother’s breast so gracefully—look at His right hand showing so much tenderness.
Just to show you He’s not a baby, He’s holding the word of God in his left hand.
This magnificent functional and conceptualized art altarpiece indeed expresses
tenderness and humanity but for who; the priests, the congregation, the secular
world or all of the above?
Clarke, (1981). Kimbell
Art Museum: Handbook of the Collection. Texas: Kimbell Art Foundation.