“This triptych is a visual feast, blending three distinct biblical narratives into one painting. Look closely to discover the rich details and distinct architectural settings for each story.”
This fascinating triptych, or three-panel painting, tells multiple stories within a single frame, inviting a closer look at its intricate details. On the left, Abner's messenger kneels before King David, a scene from the Old Testament. The central panel depicts the opulent arrival of the Queen of Sheba, laden with gifts for King Solomon, emphasizing the grandeur and wealth of ancient kingdoms. To the right, the angel Gabriel appears before the Virgin Mary in the Annunciation, a pivotal moment from the New Testament. Each scene is set within a meticulously rendered architectural space, showcasing the artist's skill in creating depth and perspective. This work exemplifies the Early Netherlandish tradition of combining detailed storytelling with rich visual environments, drawing the viewer into a world where sacred narratives unfold with human drama and architectural splendor.
- Artist
- Master of the View of Saint Gudula
- Date
- 1475
- Medium
- Oil on oak
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- Each panel 36 3/4 x 17 5/8 in. (93.3 x 44.8 cm)
- Collection
- European Paintings
- Credit line
- The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The messenger's detailed armor in the left panel.
The Queen of Sheba's elaborate headdress and rich garments.
The delicate gestures of Mary and Gabriel in the Annunciation.
The intricate Gothic architecture framing each biblical scene.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Abner's Messenger before David; The Queen of Sheba Bringing Gifts to Solomon; The Annunciation — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Master of the View of Saint Gudula
This enigmatic Early Netherlandish painter, active in Brussels, is known for his detailed religious scenes and portraits of church patrons.
Further Works by Gudula
The Crucifixion
1330 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Lamentation
1330 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Life and Miracles of Saint Godelieve
1475 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Young Man Holding a Book
1475 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Virgin and Child with Saint Anne Presenting Anna van Nieuwenhove
1479 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Saint Paul with a Donor; Christ Appearing to His Mother
1480 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Virgin and Child
1480 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Arrival in Bethlehem
1540 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Gudula: works from the same years.
Same era · 1460s–1490s
Christ Child with a Walking Frame
Hieronymus Bosch · 1480 · Kunsthistorisches Museum
Same era · 1460s–1490s
Portrait of a Musician
Leonardo da Vinci · 1485 · Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Same era · 1460s–1490s
Virgin and Child with an Angel
Sandro Botticelli · 1470 · Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Same era · 1460s–1490s
The Lamentation
Albrecht Dürer · 1477 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1460s–1490s
Adoration of the Christ Child
Workshop of Andrea della Robbia · 1479 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1460s–1490s
Madonna and Child
Giovanni Bellini · 1470 · Musée Fesch
