1905] The Legendary Representations on the Frontal from Kaupanger. XI 



The crucifixion of St. Andrew does not belong- to the scenes 

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

 on oue of the wing-s of the triptych from Fosnæs church in Nam- 

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

 Veilo, 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 difference 

 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), now in the Maribo 

 Stiftsmuseum, wdiere 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 tAvo scenes 

 frequently occur together, and it is Avell kuoA\'n that many churches 

 in NorAvay Avere dedicated to the saints Peter and Paul, Avhereas 

 the crucifixion of St. AndreAA' is not commonly found represented 

 in coniiection Avith the martyrdom of St. Peter, as is the case on 

 our Frontal. There may haA'e been a reason for this AA-hich is no 

 longer knoAvn. 



The top compartment on the right side shoAA's a battle scene. 

 I agree Avith Professor Dietrichsox and Mr. Bendixen that it 

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

 DixEN, AAdien he maintains that the deafch of king 01a\^ is not re- 

 presented in this compartment, but in the folloAA-ing, the middle 

 panel. The significance of this latter panel aa-III be explained further 

 on. In my opinion, the chief eA^ent of the battle of Stiklestad, 

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

 The king, distinguished by his croAvn and his famous battleax, Hel, 

 which he " carries over his right shoulder, is sinkiuR- as he is cut 



\) This triptych is now in the collection of antiquities of the Eoyal Scien- 

 tific Society of Trondlijem. For description and illustrations see: Fredrik B. 

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

 Videnskabers Selskabs Skrifter 1904. No. 5. Trondlijem 1905. 



