Lot 1511 Dα

The whereabouts of this panel by an artist from the circle of Jörg Breu (around 1475/1480-1537) in Augsburg long remained unknown. The work once formed part of a large polyptych, whereby the back of the panel bears a background of impressed gilt brocade upon which sculpted reliefs would have been placed.
The front of the panel depicts Christ's farewell to His Mother in the house of Lazarus in Bethany. The Virgin Mary is shown in a bright white gown, sunken on one knee and weeping in the knowledge of what will happen to Her Son. She is accompanied by Martha, the sister of Lazarus, and Mary Magdalene, who is depicted in a green gown with hair uncovered. They attempt to support the Virgin but they themselves appear to sink under the vision of the coming sorrow. The mighty walls of Jerusalem are visible in the left background amidst a gentle river landscape flanked by mountains on either side.
Although based on a design by Dürer, this depiction of the apocryphal scene develops his ideas further both in terms of content and composition. The scene is interpreted as a visionary foreshadowing of the Passion of Christ. The unusual inclusion of the traitor Judas in the right edge of the scene is an elaboration on this motif. The restless drapery of the clothing and the strong contrasts of light and shadow reveal the artist's anti-classicist attitude, that is somewhat reminiscent of the works of the Augsburg artist Jörg Breu.
We would like to thank Dr Anna Moraht-Fromm, Berlin for this catalogue entry, which was drawn from her expertise of this work.