Greece, Ionian Islands, ca. late 17th century CE. Greek triptych, “Second Coming of Christ,” painted colors over gold foil on wood, comprising carved and gilded central frame, with similarly decorated flat wood side shutters. Post-Byzantine; Venetian-held territory, most likely Corfu in the Ionian Islands. Central panel 4½ wide x 5-5/8 high, opening to 8¾ wide. Colors include red, darkest blue, and umber. Central composition: Last Judgment, or the Second Coming of Christ. Depicting Christ enthroned, sitting beneath an archway, within wreath inscribed in red letters, with feet on globe of the world. Standing beneath, ten apostles and bishops framing Saints Constantine and Helen. Painted in red, green, and black on a sheet of gold, within wooden arch supported by columns, these also gilded. Viewer’s left panel: Adoration of the Magi. “The Nativity of Christ” inscribed in Greek majuscule. Mary seated, holding the Christ Child, with Joseph standing behind her. One of the Magi kneels before her presenting a gift, while the other two look on. A star shines from above, with a group of angels in red looking upon the scene. Viewer’s right panel: Crucifixion. Christ hanging on the cross, between a red sun and dark moon. Mary, Joseph/John the Baptist(?) and others kneel with their backs to the cross. As in the other sections, red-winged angels look down from above. Closed size: 5-2/3"H x 4-1/2"W.

According to Dr. Maria Vassilaki, University of Crete-Rethymnon, 1998, discussing this item: “...The piece was never cleaned. Both the Adoration of the Magi and the Crucifixion have adopted Italian iconographic features which make it clear that the painter of the triptych was following a tradition which had been formulated in a Venetian-held territory of Greece, such as Crete or the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zante, etc.). I think the second possibility is stronger considering the late-seventeenth-(century) date of the triptych. Crete was under a Turkish occupation since 1669...” An engaging and seminal example of iconic art, here depicting three of the most central events in Christianity, as seen through Western-influenced eyes for use in the Orthodox world.

Provenance: Ex-private O'Keefe collection, New Jersey, ex-collection of the Roebling family, two of whose members designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge.

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#109351

Museum grade example. Uncleaned. Gold expertly conserved. The darkened color pigments and wood’s beaded detail showing centuries of exposure to oil lamps, a patina which cannot be replicated. Under an ordinary table lamp or flashlight, the principal colors emerge; the red especially shows as the reddest of reds, with a pure hue rarely seen even in mediæval manuscripts. Side panels held with crude link hinges, all very old, at least one and possibly all original. Some modest chipping at lower edges of side panels, left door somewhat warped with grain, probably from being open for hundreds of years, else very good condition.