Frames and supports in 15th and 16th-century Southern Netherlandish painting

CHAPTER VI 118 B. Large altarpieces Large altarpieces have played a far from negligible role in the technical and stylistic evolution of supports. Let us note the dimensions of the largest Flemish altarpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries (most of these dimensions are reported by Nicole Verhaegen). 3 The H × W measurements in centimetres are those of the painted surface; in the case of a winged altar, the measurements are those of the central panel. 15th century: Dirk Bouts, Justice of Emperor Otto III (Brussels, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, inv. nos. 1447-1448): Beheading of the Innocent Count : 325 × 182.5; Ordeal by Fire : 325 × 181.5; Justus of Ghent, Communion of the Apostles (Urbino, Palazzo Ducale, Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, inv. no. 700): 311 × 335 (poplar); Master of the St Lucy Legend, Triptych of the Confraternity of Black Heads (Tallinn, National Museum of Fine Arts, inv. no. EKM M 5173): 255.2 × 166.3; Hugo van der Goes, Portinari Altarpiece (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi, inv. nos. 3191- 3193): 249 × 300; Jan and Hubert van Eyck, the Ghent altarpieces (Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral): upper altarpiece, raised central part: 212.2 × 83.2; lower altarpiece: 237 x 134; Hans Memling, Last Judgement Triptych (Gdansk, Cathedral of Our Lady): 222 × 160; Rogier van der Weyden, Descent from the Cross (Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, inv. no. P02825): 220 × 262; Hieronymus Bosch, Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych (Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, inv. no. P02823): 220 × 195; Justus of Ghent, Calvary Triptych (Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral): 216 × 219; Hugo van der Goes, wings of the Bonkil Altarpiece (Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland): 198.5 × 97; Vrancke van der Stockt, The Last Judgement Triptych (Valencia, Museo Historico de la Ciudad): 215 × 135; Hans Memling, Crucifixion Triptych (Lübeck, Sankt Annen-Museum, inv. no. 1948/138): 205 × 150; Master of the St Lucy Legend, Assumption (Washington, National Gallery of Art, Samuel H. Kress Collection, inv. no. 1952.2.13): 215 × 185.4. Generally, the boards are laid in the direction of the largest measurement of the painted surface, to which can be added at least 4 cm for the two unpainted edges. This gives boards of more or less: 329, 315 (± twelve feet); 259.2, 253 (± ten feet); 241.5, 226, 224, 224, 220, 220, 219, 219, 216.2, 209 cm (± 8 feet). 3. Verhaegen 1961, 142-143.