Northern Netherlandish School, 16th century

Central panel: panel has been cradled; a vertical join runs from top to bottom (as visible in catalogue image) and another vertical join, which is less prominent, can be seen about five inches further to the left. paint surface has been abraded especially in the background and foreground areas. retouching throughout visible to naked eye. under UV: retouching throughout, mostly in foreground, upper background and sky. Right wing: there is a vertical join or crack, (as visible in catalogue image) along which there is some flaking and loss; the paint surface has been generally well retained; areas of underdrawing can be seen throughout; there is some retouching visible to naked eye on sleeve of figure at far left and on his arms and hands, and some retouching in sky. under UV: retouching to arms and hands of figure as mentioned and to face of figure to his right; others scattered here and there in sky, background and foreground, though much less restoration than on the central panel. Right wing verso: scuffs and scratches as to be expected for the outside panel, but paint surface has been generally well retained. vertical join or crack goes through the panel and is clearly visible on verso as well. under UV: retouches scattered here and there in background and along crack, which goes through face of figure. Left wing: paint surface has been well retained with good detail throughout; scattered areas of underdrawing can be seen here and there. some retouching in sky visible to naked eye. central panel join. under UV: only a few retouches to figures and foreground; some in sky and rocks and along join. Left wing verso: some scuffs and scratches, but paint surface has been generally well retained. under UV: retouching along join; others scattered throughout.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The interior of this triptych illustrates three episodes that occurred as Moses led the Israelites to the promised land.  On the left is the Worshipping of the Golden Calf, a loss of faith for which the Israelites were severely punished.   At the right is The Brazen Serpent, the bronze serpent  erected to save the Israelites from poisonous snakes, demonstrating God's mercy and prefiguring the Crucifixion.  In the central panel is the Carrying of the Ark of the Covenant, the culmination of the journey and the establishment of Mosaic law.  Although this central panel, like the wings, is the work of a northern Netherlandish artist strongly influenced by Jan van Scorel, it is by another hand.  In addition, a triptych from this period would usually have a scene from the New Testament as the main subject, flanked by prefiguring scenes from the Old Testament; in this case that could even be a Crucifixion.  It appears that the central panel of the present work is a substitution, -- one from roughly the same time and place, -- replacing a lost original.