The artwork titled “St. John and Veronica Diptych (reverse of the right wing)” was created by Hans Memling around the year 1483. It employs the medium of oil on wood and belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. Measuring 31 x 24.5 cm, this piece is part of the “St. John and Veronica Diptych” series and is characterized as a still life painting.
The artwork presents a meticulous and realistic depiction of a golden chalice set against a recessed niche. The chalice, elegant in its simplicity, features an intriguingly positioned snake that appears to be emerging from its interior. The restrained color palette, dominated by muted tones and the golden hue of the chalice, enhances the solemn and contemplative mood of the piece. The play of light and shadow, especially within the arch and around the chalice, exhibits Hans Memling’s masterful technique and his ability to render three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional plane. Through this work, Memling not only showcases his technical expertise but also imbues a deeper symbolic meaning into the seemingly ordinary subject matter, reflecting the spiritual and mystical themes prevalent in Northern Renaissance art.
