THE THREE WISE MEN ALTARPIECE

TYPOLOGY 

Single element Flemish altarpieces made by highly-specialised cabinetmakers are not found all that frequently, particularly from the period towards the end of their production. In fact, as far as we know, this is a truly exceptional piece of work since, in other contemporary altarpieces manufactured in Antwerp such as the altarpiece of the Sweet Name of Vitoria, structure is much more compartmented which, in turn, reduces the size of both the different scenarios and the figures themselves. Quite probably, the narrow chapel in which the altarpiece was going to be installed conditioned this very unusual format, quite possibly in response to a specific request by the person who commissioned the altarpiece. 

The altarpiece from La Rioja stands on a predella in which four compartments open to hold religious relics. The two end compartments are decorated with heraldic motifs. Above these stand two fluted Corinthian columns topped with a lowered arch. Higher still, we can see a reticulated fan vault decorated with geometric traceries. A straight denticulated tympanum crowns the altarpiece.