Inside Panels

We have tried to photograph this triptych so many times but not yet succeeded in producing a good photograph.  We think the problem lies in it being in such a dark area - if we use the flash we have areas of white reflected back at us and if we do not use a flash the photograph is too dark or too grainy.  What is probably needed (apart from a photographer who knows what they are doing) is special lighting, but we don't have that, so instead we have not very good photos!


This painted triptych, dated 1615, was commissioned by Sir John St. John (the 1st Baronet, - one of three commissions he undertook) to commemorate his parents, Sir John (d.1594) and Lucy (Hungerford) (d.1598).  It is quite extraordinary to view - its size and quality are the first noticable points, followed by amazement at the genealogical detail recorded on the front panels.  When the panels are opened (they are nomally kept closed) the St. John family is revealed.  It shows Sir John and Lucy knelt on a tomb; to their left is their son Sir John (1st Baronet) and his wife Anne (Leighton), and to the right are the six daughters of Sir John.

It has been pointed out that as there are in fact eleven panels - three panels make up the central picture inside, plus double doors painted on both sides - this is, techincally, a polyptych.  Whilst acknowledging this, we have decided to continue using the word triptych because that is how most people refer to it, and is the description used in publications we have seen.

Inside Panels