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Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Crucifixion, Last Judgement
(Medieval Europe )
Used for personal devotion, this diptych could be closed and easily carried by its owner. Its four reliefs summarize salvation history from the Incarnation to the Second Coming. The owner could have identified with worshiping figures like Joseph bending over his newborn son, the Magus kneeling to present his gifts to him, the apostle John mourning at Calvary, or the dead rising from their graves on Judgment Day. The scenes from Jesus' earthly life include strikingly human, emotional details: the Virgin tenderly grasps the infant's hand, Christ playfully holds up the Magi's gifts, and Mary swoons at the sight of her son's death. As a reminder of the future judgment, the Virgin is shown on the lower right imploring Christ to forgive our sins.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Éduard Chappey, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, June 5-7, 1907, no. 1682; Leon Gruel, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1925, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2008-2009 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Museum of Biblical Art, New York; Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville; Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. |
| 2007-2008 | Déjà Vu? Recurrence. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2002-2005 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 2001-2002 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 1962 | The International Style: The Arts in Europe Around 1400. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 10/1/1962 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 10/17/1963 | Treatment | repaired |
| 7/17/2007 | Treatment | cleaned |
Geographies
Belgium, Flanders
(Place of Origin)
Meuse Valley (Place of Origin)
Measurements
6 5/8 x 3 1/8 in. (16.8 x 8 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1925
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
71.201