“Triptych of Earthly Vanity and Divine Salvation,” created by Hans Memling around 1485, is an oil painting on oak that epitomizes the Northern Renaissance art movement. This religious painting, which is currently housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France, explores themes of vanity, mortality, and salvation through its triptych format.
The artwork comprises three panels. The left panel depicts a heraldic emblem featuring an armored helmet topped with a fantastical creature, which may symbolize earthly power and vanity. The central panel portrays Christ in majesty, accompanied by angels, reflecting the divine aspect of salvation and the eternal. The right panel starkly contrasts the central image with the representation of a human skull, a memento mori symbol emphasizing human mortality. This triptych masterfully juxtaposes earthly vanity with divine salvation, urging viewers to contemplate the transient nature of life and the promise of spiritual redemption.
