Triptych [right wing]: St Barbara [recto]; Mary, Mother of Sorrows [verso]

The following examination methods were employed:

Stereomicroscopy, XRF analysis (Thermo Scientific - Niton XL3t GOLDD+), UV- light , X-radiography (Oehm and Rehbein, Leonardo/ Varex-Perkin Elmer XRPad2 4336) and Infrared reflectography (Osiris 900 - 1700 nm)

The wing panels consist of three vertically aligned boards of similar width. In the X-radiograph their wooden structure appears very similar to that of the central panel, suggesting fir was also used for both wings.

Both wing panels also exhibit a fibrous application in three horizontally aligned strips at the top, centre and bottom.

The ground is a white layer containing calcium.

A ground was applied to both sides of the wing panels. Barbes are also visible in the X-radiographs. In several areas, the X-radiography reveals bubbles in the ground layer. The X-radiograph doesn't show any evidence to suggest the presence of a lead-white imprimatura.

Inner sides of the wing panels:

The infrared reflectogram shows underdrawing lines executed using a liquid grey-black medium and brush. The partial use of a pen cannot be ruled out. Contours and essential details appear to be outlined with sweeping confident lines. Parallel hatching was used to indicate shadows on St Barbara's face.

In several areas there are slight deviations between the compositional layout in the drawings and the painted execution: for example, on the inner side of the right wing (St Barbara), the battlements of the castle tower were omitted from the painted version.

Outer sides of the wing panels:

The depictions of Mary and Christ on the exterior of the wings appear more sketchily outlined with numerous searching lines. For example, the position of Mary's folded hands is initially indicated with several large loops, some overlapping. The contours of the faces and robes have also been corrected several times before being fixed in the final painted version. Occasionally the lines appear to break up into individual dots when enlarged.

The following elements were detected by XRF and after comparing their optical characteristics were following pigments were identified:

Right wing (St Barbara)

Gold lettering MP 1: Pb, Cu, Ca, Fe, (Zn), Ag, Au, Sr

Pb: white lead; Cu: copper green/ blue (?); Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Fe: iron oxide/ ochre (?); Au: gold; Ag: silver (Ag/Au: Zwischgold); Zn/ Cu: brass (?); Sr: component of 'chalk' (?)

Yellow MP 2: Ca, Pb, Fe, Sn, Sr, (Zn?)

Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Pb: white lead; Pb/ Sn: lead tin yellow; Fe: Iron oxide/ ochre; Sr: component of 'chalk' (?)

Green light MP 3: Pb, Cu, Ca, Sn, Sr, Zn, Fe

Pb: lead white; Pb/ Sn: lead tin yellow; Cu: copper green/ blue (?); Ca: chalk/ gypsum (?); Zn: zinc white/ retouch (?); Fe: iron oxide/ ochre (?); Sr: component of 'chalk' (?)

The following pigments were identified in the paint layers (of all the panels examined): Lead white, lead-tin yellow, yellow ochre, red iron oxide pigment, vermilion, azurite and copper-containing green pigment. Gold and Zwischgold used as metal leaf. Brass powder (gold bronze) was used for retouching.

See the unpublished examination report for a more detailed description of the painting process.

[Blumenroth, Heydenreich unpublished examination report, 07.01.2024].

The panels are in a slightly damaged and relatively stable condition.

Support:

There are woodworm channels (inactive) and several vertical cracks in the wooden supports, visible on the back of the centre panel and on the outer sides of the wing panels.

Paint layers:

A

fine craquelure.

Losses treated in several phases.

Flaking and small losses in the area of the headscarf and the mantle of the Mother of Sorrows on the right wing.

Metal:

The gold haloes appear abraded, and have been reworked several times. Some of this new gilding has since been removed. The inscriptions have been retouched using black paint and bronze powder.

Varnish:

All the panels exhibit several applications of varnish.

Framing:

In the modern frame the wing paintings appear to be mounted too low in relation to the central panel. In addition the frame members cover a few square centimetres of the picture surface at the top and bottom of the wing panels.

[Blumenroth, Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.01.2024]