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Altarpiece of Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot

Martín de Soria (Spanish (Aragonese), active about 1450–1487)

Medium/Technique Tempera on panel with parchment ground
Dimensions Overall: 256.5 x 185.5cm (101 x 73 1/16in.)
Central panel: 200.5 x 80cm (78 15/16 x 31 1/2in.)
Left panel: 166 x 53 cm (65 3/8 x 20 7/8in.)
Right panel: 166.5 x 53cm (65 9/16 x 20 7/8in.)
Predella: 40.5 x 34.5cm (15 15/16 x 13 9/16in.)
Credit Line Herbert James Pratt Fund
Accession Number42.42
OUT ON LOAN
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
This type of elaborately carved and painted altarpiece, called a retable, is found throughout Spain. While Martín painted much larger examples, incorporating many more tiers of panels, this is typical of Aragonese retables in its format and subject matter. The scenes from saints' lives and the Passion, the events leading up to and following the death of Christ on the cross, were often selected by the patron of the altarpiece, as were the size and elements of the frame. This altarpiece is dedicated to Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot, an archangel who conquered evil and a monk who overcame temptation.

ProvenancePossibly acquired from the Madrazo collection, Madrid by Karl Kuffner de Diószegh (b. 1847 - d. 1924), Diószegh, Hungary (Sládkovicovo, present-day Slovakia) [see note 1]; 1924, by inheritance to his son, Raoul Kuffner (b. 1886 - d.1961), Diószegh and New York; about 1941, sold or consigned by Kuffner to Paul Drey (dealer), New York; 1942, sold by Drey to the MFA for $5750. (Accession Date: February 12, 1942)

NOTES:
[1] According to notes in the MFA curatorial file, the altarpiece was at one time in the collection of the Madrazo family. Karl Kuffner owned several other Spanish paintings that are said to come from the Madrazo collection, suggesting that he acquired a group of paintings from that collection directly.