A detailed triptych by Rogier van der Weyden depicting the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church within a Gothic cathedral interior.

The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece is a triptych attributed to the workshop of Rogier van der Weyden. It depicts the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church within the interior of a Gothic cathedral. The central panel focuses on the Crucifixion, with the Virgin Mary and other figures gathered at the foot of the cross. This scene serves as the theological anchor for the entire work, as the blood of Christ flows from the cross to connect the various sacraments depicted in the side panels. In the left wing, the artist illustrates baptism, confirmation, and penance. The right wing displays ordination, marriage, and extreme unction. Angels hover above each sacrament, their garments colour-coded to signify the specific rite being performed. The architectural setting is rendered with precise perspective, reflecting the Northern European interest in naturalism and spatial depth during the mid-fifteenth century. The interior of the church is modelled after the nave of a contemporary cathedral, providing a sense of scale and realism that grounds the spiritual subject matter in a tangible environment. Van der Weyden employs a meticulous technique, using oil paint to achieve fine detail in the textures of clothing, the stone columns, and the facial expressions of the figures. The composition is structured to guide the viewer through the narrative of the sacraments, moving from the central sacrifice to the individual rites of passage. The work demonstrates the technical mastery of the Early Netherlandish school, particularly in the handling of light and the integration of complex theological concepts into a cohesive visual form. This altarpiece remains a significant example of the devotional art produced in the Low Countries during the Renaissance period, offering insight into the liturgical practices and aesthetic values of the time.