Title

Ascension of Christ

painter

Sittow, Michel (Reval (hoy Tallin), Estonia, 1469 - Reval (Tallin), Estonia, ca. 1525)

Generic classification

Object

Date

Century

Cultural context / style

Dimensions

Material

Technique

Iconography / Theme

Provenance

Current location

Inscriptions / Marks

In the scroll you can see some letters and two words: "GENTES" "IHS"

Object history

Listed as "how Christ ascended to the heavens" in the 1505 inventory from the auction in Toro of the possessions of Isabella I of Castile, it did not find a buyer at that time. In August 1506, it was acquired, along with thirty-one other panels from the collection, by Philip I of Castile (Philip the Handsome), who arranged for them to be sent to his sister, Margaret of Austria, in Mechelen. Together with the panel Assumption of the Virgin, it formed a diptych in Mechelen, and it was declared that both panels were by the hand of Master Michiel (Michiel Sittow).

Based on documentation, attributing the two panels to Sittow is accurate; however, it has recently been suggested that this painting is not the original by the painter from Reval, but rather a copy.

Description

This painting is part of the Polyptych of Isabella I of Castile, which originally consisted of forty-seven small panels. It depicts the moment of Christ's Ascension, and thus the composition is divided into two sections: in the earthly section are the apostles, the Virgin, and followers kneeling; in the upper section, two angels and Christ's feet are visible. In this case, the work was attributed not to Juan de Flandes but to Michel Sittow, though it has been considered a copy.

Locations

• 1505

  municipality

  Toro, Toro (Spain)

• ca. 1516 - ca. 1530

  palace

  Margaret of Austria palace, Malinas (Belgium)

• XVIII^th c. - present

  private collection

  Collection of Earl of Yarborough, Lincolnshire (United Kingdom) *