Triptych with Adoration of the Magi

Hans Memling
Bruges (Belgium)
78.0 x 134.2 cm

Oil on panel
Musea Brugge,
Museum Sint-Janshospitaal, Bruges
O.SJ0173.I

The inscription on the frame reveals that this work was commissioned by hospital friar Jan Floreins: DIT WERCK DEDE MAECKEN BROEDER IAN FLOREINS / ALIAS VANDER RIIST BROEDER PROFES VANDE HOSPITALE VAN SINT JANS IN BRUGGHE ANNO MCCCLXXIX /OPUS IIOHANIS MEMLING. Friar Floreins can also be seen on the central panel, kneeling with a prayer book in his hands. The work depicts the Adoration of the Magi in a stable. We see Joseph, Mary with Child on her lap, the three kings and several outsiders looking on curiously. On the left wing, we see the Birth of Jesus. Joseph is holding a candle and Mary is kneeling before the Child Jesus, who is greeted by two angels. A donkey and an ox stand between Joseph and Mary. On the right wing, The Assignment in the Temple is portrayed, with Joseph holding a basket of doves, Mary with the Child Jesus, the priest Simeon and the prophetess Anna. On the exterior panels are two saints: Saint John the Baptist with the lamb on the left and Saint Veronica with the cloth showing the image of Christ on the right.

DETAILS

Identification

Title	Triptych with Adoration of the Magi
Location	Museum Sint-Janshospitaal, Musea Brugge, Bruges (Belgium)
Category	Paintings
Subject	Religious
Inventory number	O.SJ0173.I
Inscriptions	Left wing: DIT WERCK DEDE MAECKEN BROEDER IAN FLOREINS
	Central panel: ALIAS VANDER RIIST BROEDER PROFES VANDE HOSPITALE VAN SINT JANS IN BRUGGHE ANNO MCCCLXXIX
	Right wing: OPUS IIOHANIS MEMLING
	Closed: Monogram J-F
	2 coats of arms

Production

Creator	Hans Memling
Date	1479

Materials and Technique

Materials	Oil paint, oak
Technique	Oil paint on panel
Dimensions	Left wing, with (original) frame: height 56.7 x width 33.5 cm
	Left wing, painted surface: height 48.1 x width 24.9 cm
	Central panel, with cornice: height 78.0 x width 80.3 cm
	Central panel, with (original) frame: height 56.7 x width 67.0 cm
	Central panel, painted surface: height 46.5 x width 57.4 cm
	Right wing, with (original) frame: height 56.7 x width 33.7 cm
	Right wing, painted surface: height 48.1 x width 24.9 cm

Linked open data

Permalink
IIIF manifest	https://dam.museabrugge.be/memling/manifests/manifest-11.json
Copyright	Images of artworks that are not subject to copyright restrictions are published for this purpose under the Creative Commons Zero license. These may be freely used.

Credits

The images were taken by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA, Brussels) on behalf of Musea Brugge.