Religious thinking in the late Middle Ages focused strongly on suffering an death. Christians hoped that by leading a pious life they would earn eternal salvation. This attitude is attractively illustrated by the Diptych of a Franciscan Friar. The left wing has Christ carrying the Cross the right the portrait of a 54 years old Franciscan. The rear of the right wing shows a Memento mori while that on the left is painted in imitation red and black stone.
Flemish art and heritage collections, in great detail