The Ghent Altarpiece

The altarpiece used only to be opened on feast-days. For the rest of the time, the wings were closed, so that all that could be seen was the Annunciation. the colours of the open painting are deliberately brighter and more festive than those of the closed shutters. The viewer's full attention is drawn to the large centre panel, in which a divine liturgy is performed around the Lamb of God, Jesus C…