Hans Holbein d. Ä.
Kaisheim Altar: Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 1502
Tannenholz (Abies alba), 141 x 85 cm
Erworben 1803 als Säkularisationsgut aus dem Zisterzienserkloster Kaisheim
Inv. Nr. 723
St. Sebastian Altar; Central panel: Martyrdom of St. Sebastian
Sebastian, bodyguard of the Emperor Diocletian and a Christian, regularly stood by martyrs at the time of their death. He was consequently himself sentenced to death by the Emperor. As he survived his death by arrows, he was beaten to death and thrown into the sewers of Rome. This is depictedon the here displayed central panel. On the wings are SS Barbara and Elizabeth (on the out faces the Annunciation). These patron saints were called upon against illness and for a "mild death", St. Sebastian special patronage against the plague. The Sebastian Altar is considered to be, owing to the Antique framing ornamentation, one of the early Renaissance retabel of German painting.