Artwork

Left wing of an altarpiece with the meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek (inner wing) and Synagoga (outer wing)

Left wing of an altarpiece with the meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek (inner wing) and Synagoga (outer wing) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is an oil painting forming the left wing of a hinged altarpiece.

About this work

Overview

The work is an oil painting forming the left wing of a hinged altarpiece. It portrays a biblical encounter on its inner surface and a figure of Synagoga on the outer side. The composition is divided between a kneeling figure in a red robe with gilded armor and a standing counterpart in white robes and a turban, set before an architectural backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The inner panel illustrates the meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek, a scene drawn from Genesis that emphasizes covenant and priestly authority. The outer panel shows Synagoga, traditionally representing the Jewish faith, often juxtaposed with Ecclesia in medieval iconography, underscoring theological contrasts of the period.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on panel, the painting displays the meticulous detail characteristic of the Northern Renaissance. Fine brushwork renders the elaborate headdresses, armor, and the small white dog with realism, while the luminous sky and architectural elements convey depth through layered glazing and subtle tonal modulation.

History & Provenance

The piece was created as part of a larger polyptych altarpiece, intended for liturgical use. Its original location and patron remain undocumented, but the work has survived as a separate wing, now catalogued as an individual painting within museum collections.