View in a Forest, Outer Left Wing of a Triptych c. 1505 - 1515

This oil painting on panel, "View in a Forest, Outer Left Wing of a Triptych", is one of three panels by Gerard David. It was likely completed between 1505 and 1515, depicting a thick forest scene with a building partly hidden in the foliage, the left side of a larger artwork. The focus on natural elements and the use of light and shadow create a sense of mystery and depth. The realism and details are characteristic of Netherlandish painting during the Early Renaissance. This piece, along with its two counterparts, would have been a large, complex piece that would have impressed viewers with its scale and visual detail.