Woman Dispensing Poison from the Legend of Saint Germain of Paris

Unknown

1245–47 · Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint · The Cloisters

This panel is one of two scenes from the Legend of Saint Germain of Paris. Here the woman carrying flasks is part of a sequence recounting an attempt to poison the youthful Germain, who became bishop of Paris in the sixth century. The figure dominates the composition, fully commanding the dark blue ground against which she is placed. Details of the setting are minimal, lending a sense of the otherworldly to the vision, and forms are suggested by color masses, contrast of tone, and painted line.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1245–47

Medium

Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint

Culture

French

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1973