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Harbaville Triptych

The Harbaville Triptych is a Byzantine ivory triptych dated to the mid-10th century and now kept in the Louvre in Paris. Measuring 28 × 24 cm, it was probably made in Constantinople during the Macedonian dynasty. Its central panel shows a Deesis, while the wings depict saints; the reverse of the central section is decorated with rich ornamental and vegetal motifs, along with smaller animal forms. Traces of polychromy can still be seen on some figures. It is considered one of the most valuable and best-preserved ivory works of the so-called "Romanos group," associated with the imperial court and early Byzantine ivory carving. The triptych takes its modern name from the collector Louis-François Harbaville, its last private owner before the Louvre acquired it in 1891.

Harbaville Triptych with three carved ivory panels showing a central seated figure flanked by standing figures, busts in roundels, and inscriptions.
The Harbaville Triptych opened to reveal its carved panels of figures, busts, and inscriptions.
· Public domain
Harbaville Triptych ivory carving with a central seated figure flanked by haloed figures and hinged side panels with standing attendants.
The Harbaville Triptych shown open, with the central scene and side panels of the ivory carving visible.
November 2016 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Harbaville Triptych right panel with carved haloed figures, Greek inscriptions, and star and tree motifs
The right panel of the Harbaville Triptych, showing carved haloed figures with Greek inscriptions and decorative motifs.
November 2016 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Harbaville Triptych relief carving showing two haloed standing saints holding crosses beneath two busts in round medallions.
Close-up of the Harbaville Triptych showing haloed saints below two busts in circular medallions.
© Unknown artistUnknown artist · Public domain
Harbaville Triptych ivory relief with four haloed figures, including two standing saints below and two roundels above.
Close-up of the Harbaville Triptych showing four haloed figures carved in ivory relief.
© Unknown artistUnknown artist · Public domain

Identification

TitleHarbaville Triptych
TypeByzantine ivory triptych
Original nameTryptyk Harbaville

Historical context

Production contextProbably closely connected with the imperial court
Art historical groupRomanos group
Group datingEarly works of the Romanos group are sometimes dated to the end of the second quarter of the 10th century
DateMid-10th century; some researchers date it to the mid-11th century
Place of originProbably Constantinople

Creator

AttributionAttributed to the workshop of the so-called Romanos Group

Discovery and provenance

Named afterLouis-François Harbaville (1791–1866), its last owner
First ownerLouis-François Harbaville (1791–1866)
Provenance before HarbavilleHarbaville inherited it from the Beugny de Pommeras family of Arras
Acquisition by LouvrePurchased by the Louvre in 1891 from Harbaville's grandsons and heirs
Early historyUndocumented

Physical characteristics

ConditionWell preserved; some figures preserve traces of polychromy
StyleElegant, delicate, highly polished, typical of a court school
QualityConsidered the finest and best-preserved ivory of the Romanos group
Dimensions28 × 24 cm
ConstructionAll sides are fully carved
StructureA central panel with two hinged side wings, folded closed

Materials

MaterialIvory

Technique

TechniqueCarved and engraved

Iconography and meaning

Right wing lower registerDemetrius of Thessalonica and Saint Procopius, with Philip the Apostle and Saint Pantaleon in medallions
Meaning of reverse vegetationSymbol of paradise
InscriptionsAll depicted persons have name inscriptions
Reverse side figuresChurch Fathers and bishops, each identified by inscription
Reverse decorationA Latin cross with rosettes, 24 stars, two cypresses, vine leaves, ivy, and paradise vegetation, including shrubs, stylized plants, birds, hares, and lions
Reverse of central panelA Triumphal Cross in Paradise with two Trees of Life and the inscription 'Iesou Christos nika' ('Jesus Christ conquers')
Main subjectDeesis with other saints
Right wing upper registerSaint George and Eustathius of Rome
Left wing lower registerSaint Eustratius and Aretas, with Mercury of Caesarea and Thomas the Apostle in medallions
Left wing upper registerTheodore of Amasea and Theodore Stratelates
Central panel lower registerApostles James, John, Peter, Paul, and Andrew standing on pedestals and holding books or scrolls
Central panel upper registerChrist enthroned with Mary and John the Baptist, with archangels in medallions above the throne
Front compositionA Deesis in the upper register and apostles in the lower register, with saints on the side wings

Location and ownership

Current locationLouvre, Paris
Current collectionLouvre holdings
Museum departmentDepartment of Medieval, Renaissance and Modern Objects of Art

Significance

SignificanceAn important work for the history of Byzantine art under the Macedonian dynasty, because far more ivories survive than panel paintings from the period
Comparative statusOne of the most valuable works of the Romanos group

Other

Associated comparative objectA later ivory plaque in the Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, showing Christ crowning Emperor Romanos and Empress Eudokia
Related worksSimilar monuments are in Rome, the Vatican, and Moscow
Related plaque identification uncertaintyThe emperor may have been Romanos II, crowned in 959, or Romanos IV Diogenes, crowned in 1068
Related Moscow work dateProbably 944
Historical naming uncertaintyThe name 'Romanos group' does not unequivocally identify which emperor named Roman is meant