The Nativity with the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion and the Last Judgement

1300

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

The Nativity with the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion and the Last Judgement is a 1300 by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1300
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows three big scenes from the Bible: the birth of Jesus, his death on the cross, and the final judgment. The artist packed a lot into this small triptych. It's interesting that the scenes are arranged to tell a story from left to right, with the announcement of Jesus' birth on the left and the last judgment at the top. You can see similar uses of layered scenes in the work of a technique like sfumato.

The story of this work

Overview

This ivory triptych, made in England around 1300, depicts scenes from Christ’s infancy and Passion, including the Annunciation, Nativity, Crucifixion, and Last Judgement. The central panel combines the Nativity with the Adoration of the Magi below and the Crucifixion above, framed by trefoil arches and censing angels, while the gable features Christ in Judgement. The left wing presents the Annunciation, Visitation, and the Blessed rising from graves, while the right wing includes Herod’s soldiers and the Massacre of the Innocents. Originally a portable devotional object, the triptych’s wings…

Read the full account in the museum source.