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Three Female Witnesses

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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This is an oil sketch Rubens made in preparation for an altarpiece for St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent; it shows the scene that appeared on the left panel. The two women wearing gold crowns are Saints Gertrude and Begga, the sisters of Saint Bavo (who appears in the central panel). Saint Bavo was a Roman solider, but he left the military to become a monk; his sisters followed his example by becoming nuns. Judging by her closeness and familiarity, the woman in the white headdress is probably a companion of the sisters, possibly Saint Bavo’s daughter. Saint Gertrude clutches her necklace as she goes to discard it, just as her brother in the central panel gives away his wealth before entering the monastery. Her head is tipped back and her eyes are raised as if towards heaven.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Three Female Witnesses

Date

1611-12

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 107.6 x W 41.1 cm

Accession number

NG57.2

Acquisition method

Holwell Carr Bequest, 1831

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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