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Painting by the Master of Saint Giles depicting Saint Giles elevating the Host at the altar of Saint-Denis, while an angel descends with a scroll towards the kneeling King Charlemagne.

The Mass of St Gilles – Master of Saint Giles – 1500

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License: All public domain files can be freely used for personal and commercial projects.

Why is this image in the public domain?

Title of the painting: The Mass of St Gilles

Name of the artist: Master of Saint Giles

Date: 1500

Collection: National Gallery

Visual description: An Early Netherlandish masterpiece by the Master of Saint Giles, titled “The Mass of St Gilles” (c. 1500). The painting depicts Saint Giles, dressed in a red chasuble, celebrating Mass at the High Altar of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. The central moment is the Elevation of the Host. To the left, King Charlemagne (or Charles Martel, according to legend) kneels in prayer wearing an imperial crown and ermine-trimmed robe. Above the altar, an angel descends bearing a scroll (the lettre céleste) containing the forgiveness of the King’s unconfessed sin. The scene is set against a magnificent golden retable and Gothic architecture.

License: Public Domain / See here

Source: Wikimedia

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