Die hl. Anna Selbdritt

This subject that was frequently painted around 1500 has been varied here and the traditionally hieratic, genre-like composition disbanded. St Anne is holding the Christ Child on her lap and lets him leaf through a prayer book. The Virgin Mary, still very child-like in appearance, is seated in front of them and gives Jesus a rose, just as an angel flies down to crown her. This anticipates their later roles—as the Saviour and Queen of Heaven. Nothing is known about the panel’s original purpose.