CROCEFISSI SIMONE DEI (MASTER OF THE CRUCIFICATION) – Triptych with the Virgin and Child, the Annunciation and Saints. XIV century Louvre (Paris)

The artwork presents a tripartite devotional panel, likely intended for private contemplation or placement within a domestic setting. The central panel showcases a Virgin and Child figure, framed by elaborate gilded ornamentation that draws immediate attention. She is depicted seated, holding the infant Jesus who reaches towards her with an endearing gesture. Their faces possess a solemnity characteristic of fourteenth-century religious iconography. The gold background contributes to a sense of otherworldliness and divine presence.
Flanking the central panel are two additional panels, each portraying a saintly figure in full length. On the left, a female saint is shown gesturing towards the Virgin and Child, possibly indicating her role as an intercessor or pointing toward the significance of the scene. Her attire suggests a noble status, indicated by the rich folds of her drapery. The saint on the right stands with hands clasped in prayer, his posture conveying humility and reverence. He wears a simple habit, hinting at a monastic affiliation.
The overall composition is structured around symmetry and verticality, reinforcing a sense of order and stability. The gilded framework surrounding each panel not only serves as decoration but also functions to isolate the figures, emphasizing their sacred nature. The elaborate base upon which the triptych rests further elevates its status, suggesting it was intended for veneration.
Subtly, the varying degrees of detail in the depiction of the saints may suggest a hierarchy within the devotional program. The female saint on the left is more elaborately dressed and rendered with greater precision than her counterpart on the right, potentially indicating a higher level of importance or patronage. The use of gold leaf throughout the work underscores its value – both material and spiritual – and reinforces the themes of divine grace and heavenly reward.