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The Last Judgement

The Last Judgement, also called the Scene of Intercession, is a relief from an altarpiece probably made between 1510 and 1520 in Biberach, Swabia. It is attributed to the Master of the Holy Kinship of Biberach or his workshop and is now displayed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. Carved in limewood in a long horizontal format, it is thought to have been a predella, forming the lower part of an altar retable. The work combines the devastation of plague with the imagery of the Last Judgement, showing Christ, the Virgin Mary, Heaven, and Hell, and was intended as a support for Christian prayer.

Carved wooden Last Judgement panel with Christ in a crown of thorns, a veiled woman, kneeling figures, and winged figures among dark clouds.
The Last Judgement carved wooden panel, showing Christ, a veiled woman, and smaller figures gathered around them in relief.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
A carved wooden seated woman in a gold robe and white headdress, surrounded by smaller figures and rocky architectural details.
Carved wooden figure of a seated woman from The Last Judgement, shown with surrounding figures and detailed relief carving.
March 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Detail of The Last Judgement sculpture showing a crowned figure amid carved figures, with a bearded figure raising a hand beside kneeling observers and cloud forms above.
Detail of The Last Judgement, showing the central crowned figure, surrounding carved figures, and the bearded figure gesturing above them.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Close-up of the Last Judgement sculpture showing a crowd of anguished figures among demons and rocky carvings.
Detail of The Last Judgement, with carved figures and grotesque demons packed into a rocky scene.
March 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
A carved wooden figure from The Last Judgement lies on the ground with arms outstretched, beneath other robed figures on a textured golden background.
Detail from The Last Judgement showing a fallen carved figure beneath surrounding robed forms.
March 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleThe Last Judgement
TypePredella of an altarpiece
Alternative nameScène d'Intercession

Historical context

Historical contextThe plague was viewed as God's punishment on Europe in response to the sins of men
Interpretation of plagueThe plague is seen as God's punishment for the sins of humans in Europe
DateProbably created between 1510 and 1520
Place of creationBiberach, Swabia

Creator

Artist attributionAttributed to the Master of the Holy Kinship of Biberach or his workshop

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Display statusExhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

Physical characteristics

FormHorizontal elongated relief

Materials

MaterialLinden wood

Function

FunctionLower part of an altarpiece located behind the altar of a church; intended as a support for prayer addressed to Christians

Iconography and meaning

Judgment outcomeThe pious and moral are assigned to Paradise, while sinners are assigned to Hell
Theological interpretationHumanity's failure to make its own justice effective enough in God's eyes is presented as the reason God chose to restore natural justice through punishment
Human justice themeHuman positive law or human justice is portrayed as powerless in the face of the plague and unable to establish equality
Equality themeDivine punishment restores equality among people
Mortality themeNo mortal can escape death, and this mortality makes divine punishment possible
Relation to natural justiceBecause all humans are mortal, the work is presented as an example of natural justice
Behind MaryHell divided into several registers to represent the range of punishments awaiting sinners
Depicted ideaDivine judgment ignores social or natural privilege and takes into account only human actions
ThemeThe equitable administration of divine justice by God
Behind JesusParadise, awaiting those who were pious and good
Attributes of JesusAttributes of the Passion, including a crown of thorns and stigmata
Figure on the leftJesus
Figure on the rightThe Virgin Mary, with a hand on her heart
Depiction of GodGod placed above the men, overseeing the execution of the punishment of plague against sinners
Central depictionThe plague striking humanity, shown through deformed faces and gestures of supplication directed to God
SubjectThe ravages of the plague in the Middle Ages combined with a representation of the Last Judgement
Moral frameworkThe work contrasts divine justice, natural justice, and human justice