Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (left wing)
- Artist: Germany (West) late 14th century
- Date: (circa) 1374
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (left wing) painted in West Germany around 1374. It is one of the few surviving fourteenth‑century triptychs from Northern Europe, a rare window into that period’s devotional art. The central panel shows the Crucifixion of Christ, a solemn scene framed by smaller panels above it that depict Christ washing the Apostles’ feet, the Agony in the Garden, and the Resurrection. These vertical narratives guide the eye from the sorrow of death to the promise of rebirth.
The wings expand the story further with additional biblical episodes and the Death of the Virgin, offering a broader theological context. The miniature scale of each scene recalls the intimacy of manuscript illumination, suggesting that the artist was influenced by illuminated texts. The careful detailing—especially in the faces and drapery—highlights the skill of a West German workshop of the time.
Notably, three Franciscan saints appear in the composition, including Saint Francis preaching to the birds. Their presence indicates a strong connection with the Franciscan order, perhaps commissioned for a friary or a patron devoted to that spirituality. The oil on panel technique gives the colors a subtle luminosity that remains vivid even after centuries. This triptych is a compact yet profound narrative, encapsulating key moments of Christian faith within a single, cohesive visual journey.
See it in person
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (left wing) hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
More from The Courtauld Gallery
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych)
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of left wing, bottom) - audience of birds
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of left wing, top) - Saints Clare and Paul
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of right wing, bottom) - Saint Francis preaching