THE LIFE OF THE VIRGIN ALTARPIECE

SUPPORT AND ELABORATION 

The walnut altarpiece has assembled compartments along its perimeter, dowel jointed compartments at its foot and reinforced dovetail jointed compartments in the upper section. The rear of the altarpiece is made up of vertical boards placed on two levels and separated by a crossbar to which they are attached. The rears of the compartments show saw marks while the fronts are brushed. The altarpiece's wings are missing. However, remains of the original hinges may still be seen. 

Compartments are made up of richly decorated corbels supporting the groups of figures. These corbels are crowned with small canopies made up of multiple pieces. Backgrounds depicting architectural interiors and landscapes are made of thin boards that are laid one on top of the other and secured using wooden pegs and dowels. 

The sculptured groups, which are also made of walnut, are made from one large piece of wood to which one large or several smaller-sized pieces is/are added to create the impression of volume.