The “Paumgartner Altarpiece” was created by Albrecht Dürer around 1503, a prominent figure in the Northern Renaissance. This religious painting is executed in oil and ink on panel, and it is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich, Germany. The dimensions of the artwork are approximately 156.8 x 60.6 cm. The triptych features the central panel which depicts The Nativity scene, flanked by two wings that portray St. George on the left and St. Eustace on the right.
Describing the artwork in detail, the central panel displays the Nativity with Virgin Mary and Joseph adoring the Christ Child, who lies on the ground. The scene is set within a dilapidated structure, which emphasizes the humility of Christ’s birth. The background reveals a detailed landscape filled with small figures, illustrating Dürer’s skill in rendering intricate compositions. Earthly ruins contrast with the divine event, creating a juxtaposition that is characteristic of Renaissance art.
The side panels commemorate the patrons of the altarpiece, the Paumgartner family, by depicting their patron saints with their attributes and dressed in contemporary armor. Each saint stands before a landscape that continues the theme of detailed settings: St. George is portrayed with a slain dragon at his feet, symbolizing the triumph of Christianity, while St. Eustace is depicted before a hunting scene with a vision of the crucifix between the antlers of a stag, representing his conversion experience. The Paumgartner family members are depicted as small figures witnessing these events, further personalizing the altarpiece. The combination of saints and patrons intermingles sacred narrative with personal devotion, reflecting the religious sentiments of the era.
