Triptych: The Deposition and Seven other scenes c.1370-80
Tempera on panel | 69.0 x 56.0 x 3.5 cm (open, flaps raised, etc) | RCIN 403957
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It has been suggested that this triptych may be Venetian, and by the same hand as a polyptych with the Madonna, saints and narrative scenes in S. Silvestro, Venice. The location in Venice seems very convincing and accounts for the strong Byzantine elements, particularly in the landscape. The triptych was probably made in the last quarter of the fourteenth century. Its hinges have been replaced but the carpentry of the integrated frame, with crocketed gables, appears to be original and intact (beneath its modern re-gilding).
Main scene of the central panel is a Deposition from the Cross with twelve figures and four flying angels. Below this is an Adoration of Kings, with the Virgin and Child seated at the left and a donor introduced by pages from behind the group of kings. In the triangular gables at the top of the wings is an Annunciation with the Angel Gabriel (left wing) and the Virgin (right). Below this on the left wing are two scenes, a Resurrection of Christ above a Nativity. On the right wing there is an Agony in the Garden above a Christ among the Doctors. The outsides of the wings are also painted (so as to appear then closed), the figures set against plain red backgrounds. On the left wing Saint Christopher and on the right the Virgin of Mercy, with the Child in a mandorla before her.Provenance
One of the group of early Italian works from the 77 paintings belonging to Prince Ludwig von Oettingen-Wallerstein (1791-1870), which were first offered to Prince Albert in 1847 as security for a loan and came into his possession by default (no 11 in Waagen’s catalogue of 1854); 25 of them were accepted by the National Gallery in 1863.
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Tempera on panel
Measurements
69.0 x 56.0 x 3.5 cm (open, flaps raised, etc)
Category
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Alternative title(s)
Triptych in eight compartments