This is the middle panel of Nicolas Froment’s Burning Bush Triptych. Painted in oils on a wood panel between 1475 and 1476, this piece has remained in the Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur since it was moved there in the 19th century. It was painted for the funerary chapel of Roi Rene’ in the church of the Grands-Carmes at Aix-en-Provence.
Prior to 2010, the entire work was not available for public viewing. 2010 marked the completion of a 150,000 euro restoration project. The picture is painted on canvas which was attached to poplar panels.
In this panel, the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus sit in the top of a tree – the ‘burning bush’ in this case as an angel announces the holy birth to a shepherd.
To learn about this famous artist and see more of his work, please visit our Nicolas Froment biography.