Left wing of a Memorial Triptych, formerly called the Gertz Memorial Triptych, with nine male Donor Portraits with Saint John the Evangelist (inner), and Saint Peter (outer) after 1527

This is the left wing of a memorial triptych, formerly known as the Gertz Memorial Triptych, painted by Hugo van der Goes, sometime before his death in 1482. The piece presents a fascinating look into the religious and social structures of the late 15th century. We see nine male donors, each carefully rendered, accompanied by Saint John the Evangelist. The presence of these donors speaks to the patronage system of the time, where wealthy individuals commissioned art to demonstrate their piety and social standing. Note how the artist captures their likenesses, immortalizing their identities within this sacred context. The emotional weight of this memorial piece is palpable. Van der Goes asks us to reflect on mortality, memory, and the role of art in preserving legacies. What does it mean to be remembered, and who gets to control that narrative? The Gertz Triptych prompts us to consider the complex interplay between faith, power, and representation in the late medieval world.