Triptych of Adriaan Reins closed 1480

Hans Memling completed this Triptych of Adriaan Reins in Bruges, likely in the late 15th century. The outer panels depict Saint Wilgefortis and Saint Agatha, figures chosen for their associations with healing and protection. Images such as these were made for private devotion and this particular one speaks to the institutional history of the hospital in which it now resides. Consider Saint Wilgefortis who legend says prayed to be spared marriage, and was thus given a beard! This story speaks to the complex relationship between women, religion, and social expectation. On the other side, Saint Agatha is shown carrying her breasts on a platter, as she was tortured for her Christian beliefs. The Saints offered solace, protection and hope in an era marked by disease. Understanding Memling's triptych requires not only an appreciation of its artistic qualities but also a grasp of the social, religious and institutional contexts that shaped its creation and reception. By consulting historical records, theological texts, and social histories, we can better understand the role of art in the lives of people who inhabited the world.