The artwork, titled “The Portinari Triptych (closed panels)”, is an exceptional piece by Hugo van der Goes, dating approximately to the year 1475. Executed in oil on wood, this religious painting measures 253 by 586 centimeters and is a prominent example of the Northern Renaissance art movement. It belongs to the series known as the “Portinari Altarpiece” and is currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
Depicted in the artwork are two panels that convey a profound religious narrative through monochromatic grisaille technique, which creates the illusion of sculptures. On the left panel, a serene figure, presumably the Virgin Mary, is portrayed in a humble and contemplative pose with an open book beside her, while a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, hovers above her head. The right panel depicts an angelic figure caught in a moment of divine action, holding a staff and gesturing upwards. The meticulous drapery and architectural niches encapsulate the figures, heightening the sense of solemnity and reverence typically associated with Northern Renaissance art.
