The Master of the Rottal Panel: A Family Group Adoring the Veil of Veronica (1490)

(John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Saratosa, USA)

A painting by an unknown 15th century Austrian artist with the notname 'the Master of the Rottal Panel'. Depicted is the interior of a church with a large family kneeling at the bottom, their coat of arms separates the men and women. The family is venerating the Veil of saint Veronica - Veronica was moved with pity when she saw Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha and gave him her veil that he might wipe his forehead. Jesus accepted the offering, held it to his face, and then handed it back to her and the image of his face was miraculously impressed upon it. On the left and right of the family are their patron saints, Peter and James the Greater. On the balcony, the choir loft, are several scenes from the Passion of Christ and 4 angels who are playing music on a lute, a double flute, an organ and a harp. Barely visible is a white cross which the woman on the far right, the family matriarch, is holding. This cross signifies that this woman had died - the painting may have been commissioned to commemorate the death of the family matriarch. Painting from 1490.