Lunette, the Ascension of Christ,carved, painted and gilded pine wood, possibly workshop of Narciso di Bolzano, Tyrol (Bozen/Bolzano), about 1490

The Ascension with the Virgin, St. Mary Magdalene and the Twelve Apostles, panel, relief of pine, painted and gilded. The semicircular relief depicts the Ascension of Christ. He stands on a hillock in the centre supported by two angels who are about to raise him aloft, the clouds forming a decorative band around the edge of the relief. His right hand would probably originally have been raised in blessing, while in his left he is likely to have held the banner of the Resurrection. Below on his right side the Virgin Mary and a group of six Apostles kneel, their hands in prayer, while on his left side are St Mary Magdalene and the other six Apostles.

The relief is carved in five main sections of wood with some smaller pieces added; it has been reinforced by several horizontal and vertical wood batons which are screwed into the flat back.

Bought from the Emile Peyre collection, Paris, for £80.

Historical significance: The present relief was classified at the time of acquisition as "Northern French; " 15th century". The style of the relief and the type of wood, however, cannot be related to works from that region. The type of woods points to an origin in the Alps, and the style of the figures is comparable with works by Master Narciso da Bolzena of Bozen (active about 1472-1517). In particular with the altarpiece from Fiera di Primiero (now in the Museo Provinciale d'Arte in Trento and another in Voels am Schlern, which is signed and dated 1488. The distinctive facial features and the similar drapery suggest the present work was made in Master Narciso's workshop.

This lunettte possibly formed the crowning element of an altarpiece with scenes from the Life of Christ, or might have been positioned above a door.

This semicircular relief depicts the Ascension of Christ. He stands on a hillock in the centre supported by two angels who are about to raise him aloft, the clouds forming a decorative band around the edge of the relief. His right hand would originally have been raised in blessing, while in his left he is likely to have held the banner of the Resurrection. Below on his right side the Virgin Mary and a group of six Apostles kneel, their hands in prayer, while on his left side are St. Mary Magdalende and the other six apostles.

712-1895