The Virgin Enthroned with St. Catherine and St. Mary Magdalene

The Master of St. Severin was a late Gothic painter active in Cologne until around 1520, whose real name remains unknown. He is named after a cycle of 20 paintings depicting scenes from the legend of St. Severin, which still adorn the choir of St. Severin's Church in Cologne. Alongside the Master of the Aachen Altar and the Master of the Ursula Legend, he represents the Dutch-influenced late period of Cologne Gothic art, standing at the threshold of the new era in painting. He was among the last significant figures of late medieval painters in the region, adhering to the late Gothic traditions of the so-called Cologne School of Painting into the second decade of the 16th century. His works, characterized by their intricate detail and emotional depth, include the 'Last Judgment' (circa 1488), 'The Crucifixion of Christ with Scenes from the Life of John the Baptist' (circa 1490), and 'Christ before Pilate' (circa 1500/05), among others. These pieces not only showcase his mastery of religious themes but also his ability to blend narrative complexity with the spiritual intensity characteristic of the period. The Master of St. Severin's contributions to the Cologne School highlight the transitional phase from medieval to Renaissance art, marking him as a pivotal figure in the history of German painting.