Scenes from the life of the Virgin, wings of a polyptych

These side panels are the only surviving elements of a large-scale polyptych from the cathedral in Hamburg. They contain a narrative cycle of 16 scenes meant to be read by following the sections horizontally from top to bottom. These images come together to illustrate the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy through the life of Mary. The theological lesson begins with a genealogy of Mary in the form of a depiction of the Tree of Jesse. The imagery reflects the words of Isaiah concerning the arrival of the Messiah as a rod from the stem of Jesse. The fulfilment of prophecy about the Incarnation and Mary giving birth to the Saviour, are shown through scenes depicting the foretelling of Mary’s birth, the presentation of Mary at the Temple, The Marriage of the Virgin, The Annunciation, and scenes from Jesus’ childhood, all the way through to the Passion. The quintessence of the cycle’s message lies in the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, pierced with five swords of sorrow which mirror the wounds inflicted upon her son. The symbolism here recalls the prophecy of Simeon, Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. The imagery on the side panels complemented the Crucifixion subject matter of a carved centre section, which perished in the 19th century.

The paintings are attributed to the Hamburg-based artist Absolon Stumme. The composition and iconography of the individual scenes reveals motifs that reach back to Netherlandish art. Also evident is a tendency to augment the composition with elements drawn from erstwhile reality, such as the presence of the no-longer-standing Hamburg cathedral tower in the background of the Lamentation scene.

The reverse sides of the outermost wings were repainted in the 17th century, with a Crucifixion scene patterned after a Peter Paul Rubens composition appearing on the right wing, and a Last Supper scene on the left wing.