Keywords: Master of the Orléans Triptych - Two Wings - Prophets - Walters 44645 (2).jpg The two prophets originally forming the wings belonging to a Nativity triptych have the same garb and gesture as David and Isaias on the wings of the triptych Walters 44 316 and are set within similar niches The model used there for David was employed here for Isaias whose scroll is inscribed PVER NATVS EST NOBIS YSAIE 9 Isaias 9 6 The other prophet was patterned after the Isaias of Walters 44 316 His scroll is inscribed PEPERIT FILIVM SVVM PRIMO GENITVM Luke 2 7 The wings were formerly associated with the plaque of the Man of Sorrows Walters 44 438 They are slightly higher than that plaque in its original state and are made of thicker copper They come from a triptych of the Nativity Three plaques of the Nativity by the Master of the Orléans Triptych are known Marquet de Vasselot Emaux limousins p 254-255 nos 69 71 72 The Walters plaques would fit perfectly the Nativity plaque in the British Museum which is of the same height and has the same counter-enamel Marquet de Vasselot op cit no 72; British Museum Guide to Mediaeval Antiquities 1924 fig 54 Related triptychs by Nardon Pénicaud prove that it was usual to bracket a Nativity scene or other representation presented in an open space between figures within niches These plaques are certainly the work of an assistant and not a creation by the master himself a fact which is clearly demonstrated by the inability of our enameller to measure up to the technically difficult handling of the flesh tones with which the head of the workshop experimented in his masterpieces The design is also much less firmly established and the profiles of the heads are curiously flattened as is that of John the Baptist on a wing likely by the same hand as these two prophets formerly in the Edouard Aynard Collection sale Paris December 1-4 1913 lot 171 ca 1500 Renaissance technique painted enamel copper Each cm 21 7 7 8 accession number 44 645 15158 Frédéric Spitzer Paris by purchase Frédéric Spitzer Sale Paul Chevallier and Charles Mannheim April 17 1893 lot 418 Oscar Hainauer Berlin by purchase Raoul Heilbronner Paris by purchase Henry Walters Baltimore 1913 by purchase Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1913 place of origin Limoges France <gallery> File Master of the Orléans Triptych - Two Wings - Prophets - Walters 44645 jpg </gallery> Walters Art Museum license Limoges painted enamels in the Walters Art Museum Master of the Orléans Triptych Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs artist update Painted enamel art in the Walters Art Museum |