1905] The Legeiulaiy Eepresentations on the Frontal from Kaupanger. H 



The crucifixion of 8t. Andrew does not belong to the scenes 

 most frequently met with in Mediæval art. It is, howevei', found 

 on one of the wings of the triptych from Fosnæs church in Nam- 

 dalen (Norway),^) whereas it does not occur on the triptych from 

 Yeilo, Denmark, where the legend of St. Andrew is most completely 

 treated. 



The lower compartment on the left side is greatly injured, 

 but a crucifixion is yet easily detected. The principal difterence 

 between this crucifixion and that on the above panel is that the 

 martyr is crucified with his head downward. This gives the clue 

 for the determination of the scene, as it is told in the legend of 

 St. Peter that he was crucified head downward. On each side of 

 the cross a hangman is vigourously tying the feet of the martyr to 

 the beam of the cross. 



A similar representation of the crucifixion of St. Peter is seen 

 on the triptych from Sakskobing (Denmark), no w in the Maribo 

 Stiftsmuseum, where the two hangmen are tying the apostle's feet 

 to the cross. But, as a pendant, on this triptych, is depicted the 

 execution of St. Paul who, according to the legend, was beheaded 

 on the same day as St. Paul was crucified. These two scenes 

 frequently occur together, and it is well known that many churches 

 in Norway were dedicated to the saints Peter and Paul, whereas 

 the crucifixion of St. Andrew is not commonly found represented 

 in conaection with the martyrdom of St. Peter, as is the case on 

 our Frontal. There may have been a reason for tliis which is no 

 longer known. 



The top compartment on the right side shows a battle scene. 

 I agree with Professor Dietrichsox and Mr. Bendixen that it 

 depicts the battle of Stiklestad, but I can not agree witli Mr. Ben- 

 dixen, when he maintains that the deatli of king Olav is not re- 

 presented in this compartment, but in the following, the middle 

 panel. The significance of this latter panel will be explained further 

 on. In my opinion, the chief event of the battle of Stiklestad, 

 namely the death of king Olav, is clearly depicted in the top panel. 

 The king, distinguished by his crown and his famous battleax. Hel, 

 which he cariies over his right shoulder, is sinking as he is cut 



\) This triptych is now in the coHection of antiquities of the Royal Scien- 

 fific Society of Trondhjem. For description and illustrations see : Fredrik B. 

 Wallem : Sex Altarskabe i Videnskabsselskabets Oldsagsamhng. Det kgl. norske 

 Videnskabers Selskabs Skrifter 1904, Xo. 5. Trondlijem 190.5. 



