MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - PA092.jpg

Category Painting
Origin: artist/workshop Burgundian
Date 15C/3
Reference No Inv. CA 142
Size 60x40
Provenance Clairvaux, Church
Present Location Dijon, Musee des Beaux-Arts
Bibliography Cocheril 1979, 507; Paris 1990, 275; Dijon 1953, 55

Berlioz 1990, 151; Schmitt 1990, 151;Schmitt 1992, 650; Huempfner 1927, 1:12
Illustration From Cocheril 1979, ill 281
Other illustrations Paris 1990, 59; Dijon 1953, ill 14

Huempfner 1927, 12; Berlioz 1990, 114; Leclercq 1976, 8
Country France
Description:
The Clairvaux altarpiece from the second half of the fifteenth century. The central scene of Christ's Baptism by John witnessed by two angels and, above, God the Father with the dove of the Holy Spirit, is flanked by the two standing figures of Bernard on the left and St Malachy, Bernard's great friend who died at Clairvaux in 1148 and was buried in the church, on the right, both of them against a rich golden damask cloth. St Malachy is wearing a cope and mitre. In his left hand he carries the cross of an archbishop and in his right hand he has an open book. In contrast to his colourful and costly vestments is the plain white cowl worn by Bernard. This is slightly pulled up to as to show the white tunic and black scapular beneath, and his hood is partly over his head. He carries a crozier and a book under his right arm and he holds a model of a church with both hands indicating his role as the founder of Clairvaux. This image of Bernard has frequently been reproduced, but almost always on its own. Bernard has 'tuft'.