Specs:

11 x 13" when opened.   Acrylic on old growth pine.

Symbolism:

This altarpiece reinterprets the narrative and architectural

structure of Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece (1432). Like

the original, it shifts in atmosphere when opened, but the

imagery is translated into a domestic, bird‑centered

symbolic world.

The exterior Annunciation is depicted through a robin as

Gabriel and a titmouse as Mary. Rather than a solemn

moment, the interpretation shows startled surprise. The

sudden appearance of an egg marks the moment of divine

intervention.

Inside, the Fall is represented by a pair of woodpeckers—

Adam on the left with his red spot, Eve on the right. Each

panel includes a lemon as a shared nod to the fruit in the

original Eve panel. Their inward gazes convey mutual

remorse and recognition.

At the center is the Mystic Lamb, rendered with simplicity

and stillness. It stands on a stone altar against a setting

sun, echoing the quiet resolve of the original.The panels are painted on old‑growth pine salvaged from a

family chest passed down for generations, giving the work

an ancestral foundation.

This piece is a reinterpretation of select panels rather than a reproduction, preserving Ghent’s emotional arc while creating a new symbolic language.

Surface Preparation:

The wood was sanded through progressive grits and

sealed with two coats of wax‑free shellac (SealCoat), with

light sanding between coats to stabilize the grain and

create an archival barrier. This was followed by three coats

of acrylic gesso to establish a smooth, absorbent painting

ground.

After painting, all non‑painted wood surfaces—

including the edges, back, and the support wedge—are

finished with Danish oil to reveal and protect the natural

aged grain as part of the object’s presentation.