Lot 1028 Dα

The Virgin is shown in the centre, mourning over the body of Her dead Son before the gates of Jerusalem. The four Evangelists are depicted in the corners of the work with their attributes, and God is seen in the centre at the top. The left cartouche depicts the sacrifice of Abraham, the right the brazen serpent, and below a banquet scene. The individual scenes are depicted in grisaille, forming a contrasting frame for the central depiction. The four Evangelists are also shown in yellow glories, the scenes on the right and left in greyish lilac hues, and the depictions at the top and bottom in pale pink.
The glaze technique used in the outer scenes is typical of the œuvre of Frans Francken the Younger and of the time around 1620. In contrast, the pointed arch composition is unusual for Francken, and this is the only known version of this compositional scheme with a pietà. The pointed tip of the arch creates both a compositional and a symbolic connection between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, with the Virgin at its centre.