Like a Virgin

The format of this triptych sets the agenda. Its height corresponds exactly to the breadth of one wing plus that of the central panel so, when the wings are open, the work has the appearance of two squares intersecting. In this surreptitious way a close connection is made between the full-length female saints on the inside of the wings and the half-length Virgin at the centre. The inscriptions in the haloes also underscore this link: like the Mother of God, both Catharine (left) and Barbara (right) are referred to expressly as »virgo« (virgin). There are a number of indications that this work came from a convent. As »Brides of Christ« the nuns would have been encouraged to identify with these virginal saints.