Left and Right Wing of an Altarpiece with St Anne with the Virgin and Child on her Lap, a Holy Bishop, St Magdalen and St Ursula c. 1545

These are the left and right wings of an altarpiece with St Anne, made by Anton Woensam von Worms. Observe the symmetrical structure across both panels; the figures are carefully arranged to create a balanced composition, with St Anne on the left mirroring St Magdalen on the right through their poses. Woensam employs vibrant reds and blues against muted backgrounds, drawing the eye to the figures. The use of line is meticulous, defining each fold of fabric and contour of the faces. The textural contrast between the smooth skin of the figures and the intricate details of their clothing is striking. Woensam destabilizes traditional religious iconography through his attention to the textures and details of fabrics and objects. The altarpiece becomes a site for exploring not just religious narrative but also the visual interplay of surfaces and forms. This attention to material detail subverts conventional religious art by focusing on sensory experience.