Triptych of the Virtue of Patience

This is van Orley's masterpiece. It was very likely commissioned by Margaret of Austria. The inside of the altarpiece depicts the biblical story of Job whose faith is put to the test by Satan. Treated in a monumental manner, the tragedy of the tale is made all the more poignant. The central panel, depicting the death of Job's children at the moment of the collapse of their palace, is painted in such a way that the figures are almost literally propelled into the foreground of the picture. On the outer wings, the parable of the poor Lazarus draws a parallel between the resignations of Job and La... Mehr ...