Calvary Altar from Garamszentbenedek
c. 1470
Pine, tempera
Christ before Pilate (outer side of right wing panel)
Inv. 55.33
79 x 54.5 cm
Prior to 1875, the altarpiece was disassembled and brought to the Christian Museum. It seems that the double-sided wing panels were separated at an earlier time and in 1875, when the Picture Gallery opened, the panels received new frames. The present structure of the altarpiece was built during or after the restoration work done from 1972 to 1975. Recent research determined that the Calvary altarpiece of Garamszentbenedek was the product of the workshop of the so-called Master of Jánosrét. Earlier it had been identified, at least parts of it (the central image and the predella) as the work of the master himself. It has also become clear that the master should be viewed as a contractor who directed the operations of the workshop and contributed primarily as a painter and occasionally as a sculptor, with the other masters hired as needed. The seat of the workshop was most likely in Körmöcbánya (perhaps Garamszentbenedek). The rather large number and variety of works from this area call for a re-evaluation of our earlier image of the activities and oeuvre of the so-called Master of Jánosrét.
Provenance.
Brought to Esztergom from the Benedictine Abbey of Garamszentbenedek with the assistance of Prince Primate János Simor.
Restoration:
György Hernádi, 1972-73. During restoration work in the 1960s and 70s, earlier overpaintings were removed from the surface of each panel. The panels had also been cradled after they were sawed apart. During the later restoration, the cradling was removed, the panels were thinned, and the paintings were transferred to new panels, new supports.
Prior to 1875, the altarpiece was disassembled and brought to the Christian Museum. It seems that the double-sided wing panels were separated at an earlier time and in 1875, when the Picture Gallery opened, the panels received new frames. The present structure of the altarpiece was built during or after the restoration work done from 1972 to 1975. Recent research determined that the Calvary altarpiece of Garamszentbenedek was the product of the workshop of the so-called Master of Jánosrét. Earlier it had been identified, at least parts of it (the central image and the predella) as the work of the master himself. It has also become clear that the master should be viewed as a contractor who directed the operations of the workshop and contributed primarily as a painter and occasionally as a sculptor, with the other masters hired as needed. The seat of the workshop was most likely in Körmöcbánya (perhaps Garamszentbenedek). The rather large number and variety of works from this area call for a re-evaluation of our earlier image of the activities and oeuvre of the so-called Master of Jánosrét.
Provenance.
Brought to Esztergom from the Benedictine Abbey of Garamszentbenedek with the assistance of Prince Primate János Simor.
Restoration:
György Hernádi, 1972-73. During restoration work in the 1960s and 70s, earlier overpaintings were removed from the surface of each panel. The panels had also been cradled after they were sawed apart. During the later restoration, the cradling was removed, the panels were thinned, and the paintings were transferred to new panels, new supports.
