Vision of Saint Ildephonsus

Adriaen Isenbrandt painted this Vision of Saint Ildephonsus around 1500 in Bruges. Isenbrandt was one of the leading painters of the late Bruges school, continuing Gerard David's tradition of refined devotional painting. The subject shows the Virgin presenting a chasuble to Saint Ildephonsus, archbishop of Toledo, a scene popular in both Spanish and Netherlandish art. The oil medium allowed for rich tonal transitions and glazed layers of color that created luminous depth impossible with the older tempera technique.

Oil on panel with Isenbrandt's luminous palette and delicate surface finish. The visionary subject is rendered with the refined technique and gentle coloring characteristic of the Gerard David tradition in Bruges.