Farewell, oil on panel 220x118cm, 2003

A classic Triptych

For years it had been a deep inner wish to paint a Triptych. In 2003 after my walk to Santiago de Compostella I had the inspiration to paint this Triptych. It took almost six months to finish it. This painting is still in my own possession and it is used as an exhibition piece, because I  usually have only a few paintings in stock.

Looking at the  special form of a triptych  I consider this the beauty of it; a triptych is playful, visually exciting, it can be closed by the hinged panels and an inspiring text can be painted on it. By dividing the painting in three pieces, each part gets a life of its own, while they are really   inextricably interconnected with each other. A triptych has a story to tell and a good triptych becomes a 'holistic story'. The original tradition of a triptych has its roots in the Christian theology and The Holy Trinity.

The main theme of my first triptych is the 'the farewell'. I wanted to stay consciously close to the tradition. The man in the arms of the woman, either son or lover, there will always be the moment of farewell. Even the pregnant woman on the right panel has already begun the so intensely difficult moment of parting.  A triptych has a story to tell and a good triptych becomes a 'holistic story'. The original tradition of a triptych has its roots in the Christian theology and The Holy Trinity.

This triptych combines the universal themes of Man and Nature, Love, Happiness, Sorrow, and the spirituality of The Divine.