Definition
An Arundel Tomb is a mid‑15th‑century painted panel that depicts the recumbent effigies of Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel (c. 1346–1397), and his wife, Eleanor of Lancaster, as they appear on their tomb. The work is commonly known by this title and is held in the collection of the National Gallery, London.
Overview
The panel is dated to circa 1430 and is attributed to an anonymous English artist of the early Netherlandish or “Westminster” school. Executed in oil and tempera on oak, the painting measures approximately 96 cm × 107 cm (38 in × 42 in). It presents the couple seated on a richly carved stone tomb, their hands clasped in a gesture that has become an iconic symbol of medieval marital devotion. The composition includes architectural framing, heraldic motifs, and a painted representation of the tomb’s canopy. The work entered the National Gallery in 1895 and is regarded as a rare surviving example of secular panel painting from late medieval England, offering insight into contemporary funerary art, aristocratic representation, and the development of portraiture.
Etymology / Origin
The title derives from the Arundel family, one of England’s principal noble houses. “Arundel” refers to the earldom held by the Fitzalan lineage, whose principal seat was Arundel Castle in Sussex. The term “tomb” denotes the funerary monument that the painting records. The artwork’s naming follows the conventional practice of identifying medieval panels by their depicted subjects and associated patronage.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Medium | Oil and tempera on oak panel, with gilded details. |
| Date | Circa 1430 (early 15th century). |
| Attribution | Anonymous; often linked to the “Westminster school” of English painting. |
| Dimensions | Approximately 96 cm × 107 cm (38 in × 42 in). |
| Subject | Recumbent effigies of Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel, and Eleanor of Lancaster, shown in contemporary dress, with clasped hands. |
| Iconography | Heraldic shields (Fitzalan and Lancaster), architectural framing, painted stonework, and a canopy suggest a high-status funerary context. |
| Style | Combines elements of International Gothic (elegant drapery, detailed ornament) with early Netherlandish realism (naturalistic faces, spatial modeling). |
| Provenance | Likely remained in the Arundel household until the late 18th century; entered the National Gallery, London, in 1895. |
| Conservation | The panel has undergone cleaning and retouching to stabilize the paint layers and restore original chromatic balance. |
Related Topics
- Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel – English nobleman and patron whose tomb is depicted.
- Eleanor of Lancaster – Wife of the Earl; member of the Lancastrian branch of the Plantagenet dynasty.
- Medieval English Panel Painting – The broader artistic tradition to which the work belongs.
- Funerary Monuments in England – Contextual background on tomb architecture and iconography.
- National Gallery, London – Current repository of the painting.
- Westminster School (Art) – A term used for a group of early 15th‑century English painters sharing stylistic traits.
- International Gothic – Artistic style influencing the panel’s decorative elements.
All information presented is drawn from established museum catalogues and scholarly research on medieval English art.