description of the work

Hans MEMLING, “Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist”, View of the opened triptych, Memling Museum, Old St. John's Hospital, Bruges
the opened triptych

We first describe what the work represents and for that we follow the path of the gaze, starting with the main scene.

coronation of the virgin

In the center, virgin Mary thrones on a gold seat in front of a clothed cloth and under a red velvet baldaquin.

Hans MEMLING, “Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist”, détail du panneau central, la “Vierge et l'enfant Jésus”, Memling Museum, Old St. John's Hospital, Bruges (Brugge)
detail of the central panel, “Virgin and child”

She is crowned “Queen of heaven” by two small dark blue angels flying above her.

Hans MEMLING, “Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist”, detail of the central panel, “Madonna and child”, Memling Museum, Old St. John's Hospital, Bruges
detail of the central panel, “Madonna and child”

jesus child

On his knees, Jesus child, seatted, hold a apple with his left hand, and move from his right hand a ring to the finger of a woman, placed futher down and left of her, on the front.

Hans MEMLING, “Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist”, detail of the central panel, “Coronation of the virgin”, Memling Museum, Old St. John's Hospital, Bruges
detail of the central panel, “Coronation of the virgin”