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, Netherlandish, fl. c.1490
Title
Saint Rumbold Taking Leave of his Parents
Datec.1490
MediumOil on oak panel
Dimensions
57.6 x 42 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1958
Object numberNGI.1381
DescriptionThis master, a late 15th century artist, painted a group of seven pictures with scenes from the life of St Rumbold of Mechelen, Belgium. Rumbold was apparently born in Scotland and, after a pilgrimage to the graves of the Apostles, settled in Mechelen. Although it is not proven, Rumbold is generally referred to as the (Arch)bishop of Dublin in hagiographic literature from the 13th century onwards.

In this panel Rumbold is portrayed as a layman, so presumably the scene illustrates an early episode in the saint's life - he joins the clerics in order to embark for Dublin, where he is to be consecrated bishop. In the background, a boat sits waiting in the harbour. Behind the young man are his father and mother, depicted as the King and Queen of Scotland.

The Gallery has a second panel by the same artist, depicting the moment when Rumbold is enthroned as Bishop of Dublin (NGI.1380). Both works are characterised by their elongated, immobile figures with solemn expressions, grouped tightly together.

ProvenanceAccording to an improbable tradition, first related by Walpole in 1762, once presented by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France (1395-1435) to Henry V of England (d.1422); from a series of twenty nine or more pictures originally in St. Rombaut's Cathedral at Malines, where it remained presumably until the church's pillage during the 'English Fury' of 1580; probably Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel and Earl of Norfolk (1585-1646), according to an ms. note of c.1760 in the 'Hand-List of pictures at Devonshire House': "This picture is suppos'd to have formerly belonged to ye Arundel Collection and from thence came to Henry Duke of Norfolk, from whose Steward Mr. Fox it was bought by Mr. Sykes who afterwards sold it to ye Duke of Devonshire, 1722"; thence by descent in the family of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth; Christie's, London, Chatsworth sale, 27 June 1958, lot 9 Exhibition HistoryExposition des Primitifs flamands et d'Art Ancien, Bruges, 1902

Exhibition of Works by Flemish and Modern Belgian Painters, The Guildhall, London, 1906

Exhibition of Flemish and Belgian Art 1300-1900, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1927

Centenary Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, October - December 1964

Label Text
This panel originally belonged to an ensemble of seven paintings representing the life of St Rumbold, who was probably born in Scotland. He is portrayed here as a layman, joining clerics to embark for Dublin, where he was to be consecrated bishop. Behind Rumbold are his father and mother, depicted as the King and Queen of Scotland. The National Gallery of Ireland also owns the panel depicting the moment when Rumbold is enthroned as Bishop of Dublin. Both works are characterised by their elongated, immobile figures with solemn expressions, grouped tightly together.