Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of left wing, top) - Saints Clare and Paul
- Artist: Germany (West) late 14th century
- Date: (circa) 1374
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of left wing, top) – Saints Clare and Paul, painted in West Germany in the late 14th century, around 1374. The work is oil on panel, one of the earlier uses of oil in German art, showing a delicate transition from tempera. The central panel depicts the crucifixion with a clear, linear perspective that draws the viewer’s eye straight to Christ’s raised hand. The sides, once part of a larger triptych, carry Saint Clare on the left and Saint Paul on the right. Their serene faces and modest attire contrast with the dramatic scene, reminding us of the devotional purpose of the piece.
Notice how the light falls across the stone columns, creating a subtle play of shadow that hints at early Gothic architectural influence. The color palette—deep reds, muted blues, and earthy browns—provides a somber yet vibrant mood. Small details, like the careful rendering of the nails and the subtle tears of the Virgin’s robe, reveal the artist’s skill and the iconographic conventions of the time.
Overall, this panel offers a fascinating glimpse into the devotional art of 14th‑century West Germany, marrying technical innovation with theological depth in a compact, powerful visual narrative.
See it in person
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of left wing, top) - Saints Clare and Paul 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) (left wing)
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 right wing, bottom) - Saint Francis preaching