Workshop of Pieter Coecke van Aelst Aalst 1502 - 1550 Brussels

A near identical composition to that of the central panel is published by Marlier, where it is attributed to Pieter Coecke van Aelst and documented in the collection of Dr. Simon in Brussels (see G. Marlier, Pierre Coeck D'Alost, Brussels 1966, p. 227, reproduced fig. 163); the family are however set in a landscape rather than an interior and a still life is laid out on a ledge in the foreground.

Both scenes depicted on the wings are repeated elsewhere; the Adoration of the Shepherds appears in triptychs in Brussels, Musée de L'Assistance Publique, and both scenes are repeated in a triptych in England, Downside Abbey (see C. Grössinger, under Literature, pp. 92-3, cat. no. 18, reproduced fig. 62). Further variations of both wings are to be found in a triptych in Valencia, Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V (ibid., fig. 146), which is attributed to Pieter Coecke van Aelst.

The central panel and wings are probably by different artists working in the workshop.