Germany, Strassburg, 16th century / 1511
The Mass of Saint Gregory
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Mass of Saint Gregory as painting (Germany, Strassburg, 16th century · 1511).
Saint Gregory was a 6th-century pope and one of the fathers of the early Roman church. The artist, Hans Baldung, chose to depict the historical legend of Gregory's vision in a scene reminiscent of his own time period, 900 years after this pope actually lived.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil and tempera on wood and credits Hans Baldung (German, 1484/85–1545).
The museum's collection notes: Saint Gregory was a late 6th-century pope and one of the fathers of the early Roman Church. This painting depicts the popular legend in which Gregory once overheard an onlooker express doubts about Christ’s actual presence at the altar during mass. In response, the saint’s immense faith was rewarded by a vision of Christ surrounded by the instruments and symbols of his passion. Saint Gregory, vested in his chasuble, kneels in the center, flanked by priests who share his amazement. This painting was part of an altarpiece commissioned by Erhard Künig, a member of a charitable lay order for a monastery near Strassburg. Künig stands at the far ri
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Mass of Saint GregoryOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.