Originally the left wing of an altarpiece, this panel represents Saint Maurice, the Roman legion commander who was martyred for refusing to slaughter the Christians of Gaul in the late third century A.D. Painted about 1522-25, with workshop assistance, this picture was probably commissioned by Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg (1490-1545), archbishop-elector of Mainz. The most powerful prelate in the Holy Roman Empire, Albrecht established Halle's collegiate church as the showplace for his art patronage and for the pre-eminent collection of reliquaries in northern Europe.

Recorded in the inventory of over 8,200 relics was a lifesize reliquary statue of Saint Maurice magnificently attired in a suit of silver armor, trimmed with gold, precious gems, and pearls. [This] painting reproduces this extraordinary object... [from Met gallery notes.]

Saint Maurice (also Moritz, Morris, or Mauritius) was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms. He was also a highly revered saint in the Coptic Orthodox Church as Maurice was a Black Christian from Thebes, Egypt. [from: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Maurice]