Norfolk-triptych

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• Stephen asked

  What material was used for the gold reflective background of the triptych?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Stephen, the background is made from gold leaf, so very thin piece of real gold. Only in the 16th century painters got the technical skills (and the guts) to imitate the appearance of gold with paint. The Flemish artist Jan van Eyck is one of the first masters in this painterly illusionism. Kind regards, Els

• Serena asked

  Good morning,
  is St Hubert's among them? If yes, can you kindly tell me which one it is?
  Thank you very much.

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Serena, St. Hubert is among the figures depicted, but you only can find him when the triptych is closed. Then, in the upper part, you will see the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magie, Under these scenes you will find the four evangelists – Mattheus, Lucas, Marcus and Johannes – together with John the Baptist. And opposite them Saint Jacob Minor, Dionysius, Hubertus, Vicentius and the archangel Michael.
  
  When the triptych is open you will find 'Christ and Maria on the heavenly throne ' (upper part) and 'Christ as the Man of Sorrows' (lower part). The upper zone shows four apostles: Peer with the key, Jacob Minor, Paul with the sword and Andreas with the oblique cross. The lower zone shows bishops, (from left to right) Servatius, Lambertus, Martinus and an unknown bishop. On the left panel you will find
  Laurentius, together with the grid on which he was burnt. Under hum five female Saints: Mary Magdalene with the jar of ointment, Dorothy, Agnes with the lam, Barbara with the tower, and Catharine with the broken wheel. Under them you will find the church fathers Hieronymus with the lion and Pope Gregorius.
  On the inside of the right panel you will find Stephan and four other male Saints: Antonius, Benedictus, Egidius, all carrying a staff and a book. To the far right you will find Leonardus with an arrow and a deer. To conclude the parade, there are two church fathers, Augustinus en Ambrosius. I will send you a picture of the triptych closed by separate email. Kind regards, Els

• Cenk Beyhan asked

  Hello,some sources writes about technique of Norfolk Triptych that "oil and tempera on panel". Is this information wrong? I would be very happy if you could give me some information about it.
  Sincerely yours,
  Dank u wel

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Cenk,
  This triptych is an excellent example of pre-Eyckian painting on panel. First, a white-lead layer would be applied to the wood. It is furthermore likely that an emulsion (of tempera) was used over the isolation layer of white-lead on this panel. On top of this emulsion, the paint would be applied directly.
  Best,
  Frederieke
  

• Dr Nigel Ramsay asked

  I wonder if you might be able to tell me why the 'Norfolk Triptiek' is so called? I am assuming that it takes its name from the English county or peerage title of Norfolk, but--if that is indeed the case--would very much like to know exactly how! Yours sincerely, Nigel Ramsay

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Nigel, you are completely correct! The painting was actually named after the Duke of Norfolk who once owned it. Best, Rianne Schoonderbeek