The Nativity Panel of Isenheim Altarpiece and its Relationship to the Sermo Angelicus of St. Birgitta of Sweden

This thesis explores the relationship of the Sermo Angelicus of St. Birgitta of Sweden, written in the fourteenth century, with the Nativity/Concert of Angels panel of the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grunewald in 1514 for a hospital and monastery run by the Antonite Order. Taking into consideration the context of the altarpiece, this thesis analyzes its iconography in relation to specific passages from the Sermo Angelicus, suggesting that the text was a possible source used by the Antonites in the Nativity/Concert of Angels panel. By doing so, parallel themes of salvation in both the text and the panel are discovered that in turn relate to the altarpiece in its entirety and present a message fashioned specifically for those patients at the hospital at Isenheim that viewed the altarpiece.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2000

Author dc:creator

• Ritchie, Jennifer Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Montgomery, Scott
• Gleeson, Larry
• Sahlin, Claire
• Chanda, Jacqueline
• Davis, D. Jack

• Grünewald, Matthias, 16th cent. Isenheim Altar.
• Bridget, of Sweden, Saint, ca. 1303-1373. Sermo angelicus.
• Isenheim Altarpiece
• St. Birgitta of Sweden
• Matthias Grunewald
• iconography

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Ritchie, Jennifer Ann
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 50555022
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2702/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2702

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2702