Margaret of Austria in Worship of the Virgin

Margaret of Austria was aunt to the emperor Charles V and governess of the Netherlands for most of the period from 1507 to 1503. Her court in Mechelen became a centre of art and culture. This small diptych from the museum in Ghent was part of her art collection. It is ascribed to the Master of 1499, who was a…

Margaret of Austria was aunt to the emperor Charles V and governess of the Netherlands for most of the period from 1507 to 1503. Her court in Mechelen became a centre of art and culture. This small diptych from the museum in Ghent was part of her art collection. It is ascribed to the Master of 1499, who was a pupil of Hugo van der Goes. The setting for Margaret of Austria Worshipping the Virgin and Child is her private apartment. She is kneeling on a red carpet with a white cross, indicating the coat of arms of her husband, Philibert of Savoy. The chained monkey at her feet symbolises the triumph of virtue over sin; the dog is a symbol of fidelity.