Concert of Angels

The "Concert of Angels" is a panel from the Isenheim Altarpiece, created by Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516. This masterpiece was commissioned for the Monastery of St. Anthony hospital chapel in Isenheim, Alsace, which cared for victims of plague and ergotism.

The altarpiece features multiple sets of wings that reveal different scenes. When fully opened, one set includes the "Concert of Angels," depicting an elaborate angel choir. Within this scene, the Virgin Mary is shown in adoration, while a dark figure, likely Lucifer, adds discordant notes. Grünewald's work is known for its intense color, expressive figures, and emotional depth, aiming to offer solace to the suffering by showing Christ's shared pain. The altarpiece combines Gothic religious fervor with Renaissance technique, creating a powerful emotional impact.12