Germany or Austria, late 15th century Lot n° 1

St. Johannes Capistranus Surrounded by other Saints Oil on panel 61 × 162 cm The panel shows St. Johannes Capistranus in the brown robe of the Franciscans. In his right hand he holds a bag book (belt book); a book that is firmly attached to a cover for transport. On his right (left from us) stands the Pope with the patriarch's cross in hand, St. Erasmus, and St. Aegidius with a deer, his totem. St. Aegidius was an abbot in the south of France (Saint-Gilles) and therefore wears a miter. On the right, next to Johannes Capistranus, is a bishop and abbot who do not have specific attributes. On the far right you can see St. Clara, a companion of St. Francis. The saints stand on a green meadow in front of gold background with a brocade pattern. The elongated format suggests its original use as a predella of an altarpiece.