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

BRUGES, St JOHN’S HOSPITAL 357 2. Hans Memling, Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi , known as the Jan Floreins Triptych . Closed: St John the Baptist ; St Veronica . Open: wings: Nativity ; Presentation at the Temple , 1479 (donor’s name, date and artist’s name on the inclined sills of the open triptych; donor’s initials and coat of arms on the frames of the closed triptych) Inv. no. O.SJ0173.I Provenance: painted for the St John’s Hospital. Bibliography: Bruges cat. 1960, 97-99; Lobelle and Van Cleven 1976, 503-505, S.1; De Vos 1994a, 158-161. Panels: the panels have been painted in the frame. It has not been possible to establish the number of boards, in part because the central panel and its frame are enclosed in a presentation frame of relatively independent construction. Base and cornice are nailed to the presentation frame into which is slotted a panel that hides the back of the central panel of the triptych. This presentation frame, which appears to have been designed separately from the triptych, is nonetheless contemporary with it. It has two stiles and an upper rail; the lower rail is nailed on top of the two stiles, leaving some space between the panel and the rail that may have served to maintain the triptych to prevent it from tipping. Frames: central frame: stub mortise and tenon joints with mitring at the front (with the tenon appearing through on the left owing to wear), square cut at the reverse, with one peg. The frames of the wings have dovetail joints, with a single peg in each, mitred on both sides. They are slightly narrower and thinner than that of the central panel. The hinges are neo-Gothic, with knuckles protruding beyond the frames so as to keep the wings distant from the central part when closed. Originally, the wings closed flat against the central part. This change may have been rendered necessary by difficult pivoting at the base. By contrast, the refined clasp is original. The triptych is kept closed by means of a springlock mechanism. A small hook attached to the left has to be inserted into an opening in the clasp on the right. The hook is pressed against a spring, pushing it back, after which it springs back to hold the hook in place, keeping the triptych closed. A key is then needed to release the spring and open the triptych (communication from Paul Burroughes). The polychromy is largely original, with repairs. Triptych closed: cornice and base black; frames: pink-brown marbling with painted mitres and joins between stones. Triptych open: grey and brown marbling, between an outer black fillet and inner gilded moulding or gilded inclined sill with text.