Rijksmuseum

Domestic altar with the Last Supper

Date

c. 1550

Medium

alabaster (mineral), oak (wood)

Institution

Rijksmuseum

During the 16th century, Mechelen was the centre of the alabaster industry in the southern Netherlands. Because of its softness, alabaster was an ideal stone for carving intricate reliefs. These were often assembled into domestic altars with richly ornamented, Renaissance style wooden frames. This example is from the Commandery of Saint John in Harderwijk.

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