Seven Sacraments Altarpiece

The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece is a fixed-wing triptych by the Early Netherlandish artist Rogier van der Weyden and his workshop.

It was painted from 1445 to 1450, probably for a church in Poligny (Max J. Friedländer claimed that it was commissioned by the Bishop Jean Chevrot),[1] and is now in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp.

[3] The central panel (possibly the only autograph part of the work) is dominated by a crucifixion in the foreground, with the sacrament of the Eucharist in the background.

Confirmation is in the middle of the left panel with a child on this knees in a praying position in front of a bishop, ready to be anointed by the Oil of Chrism.

The side panels also depict the altarpiece's commissioners, along with some portrait heads only added shortly before the work was completed.

The writing on the Baptism, Confirmation, and Confession panel from left to right is "Oes in aqu pneuate baptizati/ in morte chri ve sut renati/ ad roa vi co".

[4] The writing on the Christ on the Cross and Eucharist panel on the altarpiece is "Hic pais manu sti sps forat i vigie/ Igne passiois e decoct in cruce/ Abro i li sacmet".

[4] The writing on the The Ordinatio, Marriage, and Extreme Unction panel from right to left is "Du sum potifex lesus i sta itavt/ tuc sacmentu ordis vere stauravit/ ad heb ix co".

[5] In 1826, it was acquired by the Chevalier Florent van Ertborn from the heirs of Perad, the last Premier President of the Parlement de Bourgogne in Dijon.

[5] The altarpiece did go through a restoration process between 2006-2009 which was sponsored by the foundation Fonds Baillet Latour and SD Worx.

[6] This issue arose from how Van der Weyden had originally painted some faces on a pewter sheet that was later attached to the wooden panel.

Christ on the Cross and Eucharist
Baptism, Confirmation, and Confession
The Ordinatio, Marriage, and Extreme Unction