Abner's Messenger before David; The Queen of Sheba Bringing Gifts to Solomon; The Annunciation

Master of the Saint Barbara Legend

ca. 1480 · Oil on oak · European Paintings

These panels, showing narrative scenes of Abner's Messenger before David (?) and The Queen of Sheba Bringing Gifts to Solomon, once formed the interior wings of a triptych. The Annunciation on the reverse sides would have been visible when the altarpiece was closed. Painted in grisaille in imitation of stone sculpture, the Annunciation acted as a prelude to the theme of Christ’s Incarnation represented in the Adoration of the Magi of the triptych’s central panel (Galleria Colonna, Rome).

Artist: Master of the Saint Barbara Legend
Date: ca. 1480
Medium: Oil on oak
Department: European Paintings
Credit line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931

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