Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of right wing, bottom) - Saint Francis preaching
- 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
"Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of right wing, bottom) – Saint Francis preaching" is a striking example of late medieval German panel painting, dated to about 1374. The work is executed in oil on wood, a medium that allowed for a subtle gradation of color and a luminous quality unusual for its time.
The central panel shows the crucifixion scene in a restrained, almost austere style, with the Virgin and two apostles in the foreground. The figures are rendered with delicate, linear detail, characteristic of West German workshop production. The side panels, which were originally part of the right wing of a larger altarpiece, depict Saint Francis in a moment of preaching, his gesture expressive and the backdrop a simple landscape. This juxtaposition of the solemn sacrifice with the missionary fervor of Francis offers a powerful narrative contrast.
Notice how the oil medium gives the stoney textures of the cross a subtle sheen, while the pigments in the clothing retain a faint vibrancy. The panel’s age is evident in the slight warping of the wood and the faint yellowing of the varnish, but overall the composition remains remarkably cohesive.
The triptych reflects the devotional tastes of late 14th‑century West Germany, where artists combined emerging naturalism with traditional iconographic conventions to create works that were both didactic and emotionally engaging.
See it in person
Crucifixion triptych (formerly known as the Estouteville Triptych) (panel previously attached to back of right wing, bottom) - Saint Francis preaching 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.
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