The Stavelot altarpiece

Made for the Abbey of Stavelot, this altarpiece is representative of 12th-century Mosan art. The twelve apostles are represented on the lower part of the altarpiece, while Christ stands above them. The decor of this altarpiece depicts the Biblical story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven to earth to visit the apostles.

At the bottom section, you can see the earthly realm and columns separate the apostles into six groups of two.

In the celestial realm above them, Christ is rising up to heaven. He is making a sign of benediction with one hand and holding an open book in the other. The book is inscribed with the Latin text "Pax vobis": "Peace be with you."

The rays of the Holy Spirit have just struck the apostles. Surprise, meditation, submission… each figure is individualised. The fluid, supple drapery lends them a sober elegance and reveals a classical influence. The bright colours in the enamelled haloes enhance the work of art.

The careful and intelligent composition of the altarpiece also carries a spiritual message: the seven columns represent the seven apostles who are the pillars of the Church, so the altarpiece is a symbolic representation of the Church.

The altarpiece is typical of Meuse valley art, which developed from the middle of the 12th century onwards. Nevertheless, the quality of the craftsmanship here is exceptional, and the techniques used are highly diverse: gilded copper repoussé, engraving, and enamelwork. The altarpiece is a masterpiece of Mosan metalwork.

It was probably made for the Benedictine Abbey of Stavelot, near Liège. It may even have been made at the abbey itself, which had its own workshop and an excellent reputation for fine metalwork at the time.