ALTERTAVLEN I ROSKILDE DOMKIRKE (The Alter in Roskilde Cathedral). Et U-almindeligt Kunstværk (An Unusual Work of Art)

Author: Bolvig, Axel
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Year Published: 1997
No. of pages: 166
Illustrations: 61 Color Illustrations. 13 B&W Illustrations.
Binding: Clothbound w/ jacket
Size: 10”x 7 1/2”
Weight: 2.00
ISBN: 8700292169
Biblio/Bio: Bibl. Index.
Code: 4207

Price: $45.00

Despite other interpretations, researcher Bolvig recounts the history of the gorgeous Roskilde church altar and the purchase of same in the 1550’s by Birgitte Gøye and Herluf Trolle for their beloved castle Hillerødsholm at Antwerp’s art market. Once thought to be unique to Denmark, the beautiful, detailed paintings are the result of Dutch industrialized art production. In fact, people would come from all over Europe to purchase and partake in this art production, a new approach to art at the time. The altars were made to be sold and not ordered beforehand. The paintings themselves depict 33 scenes from the life of Christ and present a visual narrative from the New Testament. Gorgeous photographs capture this “illustrated Bible” from the 1500s, while Bolvig’s research is compelling in its reinterpretation of cultural history, art, and art production.