Epitaph for Melchior Fend: The Presentation in the Temple

Epitaph for Melchior Fend: The Presentation in the Temple

Title

Epitaph for Melchior Fend: The Presentation in the Temple

[cda 2019]

Painting on hardwood

Medium

Painting on hardwood

[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133]

The panel from the epitaph for the Wittenberg Professor of Philosophy and Medicine Melchior Fend (1486-1564) depicts the interior of a temple in Jerusalem as a stage-like space with both gothic and renaissance elements. It is peopled with numerous figures that appear relatively small in the vast architectural setting. The

The panel from the epitaph for the Wittenberg Professor of Philosophy and Medicine Melchior Fend (1486-1564) depicts the interior of a temple in Jerusalem as a stage-like space with both gothic and renaissance elements. It is peopled with numerous figures that appear relatively small in the vast architectural setting. The presentation of Christ in the temple is illustrated here (Lk 2,22-24). The high priest wearing a crown and mitre is shown standing behind the altar. In the background is the Ark of the Covenant with the brazen serpent above it. Simeon stands on the left-hand side holding the infant Christ in his arms (possibly a portrait of the deceased Melchior Fend). [...] The prophetess Hanna is represented on the opposite side.

[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133, 134]

Attributions
Peter Spitzer
Werkstatt Lucas Cranach der Jüngere

Attributions

Peter Spitzer

or Lucas Cranach the Younger (workshop)
[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133]

Werkstatt Lucas Cranach der Jüngere

or Peter Spittzer:
[Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133]

Production date
1569

Production date

1569

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 149 x 99 x 2.1 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 149 x 99 x 2.1 cm

  • Dimensions including frame: 157 x 108 x 4.8 cm

  • [Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133]

Signature / Dating

None; dated '1569' on the stone block at the bottom right

Signature / Dating

  • None; dated '1569' on the stone block at the bottom right

  • [Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 133]

Inscriptions and Labels
  • the following inscription (now lost) is documented: MELCHIORI FENDIO VIRO CLARISS[imo] ET PHILOSOPHIAE AC
    MEDICINAE DOCTORI AC PROFESSORI …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • the following inscription (now lost) is documented:

  • MELCHIORI FENDIO VIRO CLARISS[imo] ET PHILOSOPHIAE AC

  • MEDICINAE DOCTORI AC PROFESSORI EXIMIO: QVI NATVS IN

  • VRBE IMPERIALI RHETIAE INFERIORIS NORLINGA: VENIT IN HANC

  • ACADEMIAM ANNO CHRISTI M. D. XIII. ATQVE IN EA DOCENDO

  • ET MEDICANDO GLORIAM IMMORTALEM CONSECVTVS VITAM IN

  • TERRIS FINIIT V IDVS NOVEMBR[is].

  • AN[no] SALVTIS NOSTRAE M. D. LXIIII. COMPLETIS ANNIS VITAE OCTO

  • ET SEPTVAGINTA: SOCERO CARISS[imo] IOHANN[es] HERMANNVS

  • PHILOSOPHIAE ET MEDICINAE DOCTOR ET PROFESSOR, GENER

  • INGENTIVM BENEFICIORVM MEMOR, QVIBVS AB EO AFFECTVS EST,

  • HOC MONVMENTVM OBSERVANTIAE ERGA BENE MERITVM ET

  • GRATITVD[inis] SV AE TESTIF[icandae] CAVSA P[osuit]

  • ANNO M. D. LXIX. PRIDIE NON[as] MAJI.

  • [Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 135, 136]

Owner
Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
Repository
Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
Location
Wittenberg
CDA ID
DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW004
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW004/

Provenance

  • although dated '1569', it was probably not installed until 1571/73, due to construction work being carried out in the church
  • the surviving panel was originally flanked by two further panels and in 1604 was recorded hanging on the third south pillar of the church (furthermore an inscription in gold lettering and a frame with painted columns is also documented)
  • according to Johann Gottfried Schadow in 1825 the painting was behind the altar
  • at the end of the 19th and beginning of thw 20th century it was on the north wall of the choir
  • in the inventory from 1979 it was recorded on the south wall of the choir, where it is today
    [Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 135, 136]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015 133-136
EditorJan Harasimowicz, Bettina Seyderhelm
TitleCranachs Kirche. Begleitbuch zur Landesausstellung Sachsen-Anhalt Cranach der Jüngere 2015
Place of PublicationMarkkleeberg
Year of Publication2015
Show Literature
  • Epitaph for Melchior Fend: The Presentation in the Temple, 1569

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Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Epitaph for Melchior Fend: The Presentation in the Temple', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW004/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
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