Triptyque de Ternant

In the southern Nivernais region, the small village of Ternant has two exceptional religious masterpieces hidden away at the foot of the Morvan mountains in its church dedicated to Saint Roch, which has been listed as a "Monument Historique" since 1881.
The Ternant Triptychs in the church of Saint Roch are two superb triptych altarpieces dating from the 15th century. Decorated with a multitude of meticulous details, these remarkable works are in painted and gilded carved wood, and come from Flemish and Brabant workshops. The Virgin altarpiece depicts seven episodes from the life of the Virgin, and the Passion altarpiece depicts various scenes from the Passion of Christ. Ternant church is a must-see for all lovers of sacred art!

Thanks to Baron Philippe de Ternant, chamberlain to Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, and then his son Charles de Ternant, the two triptychs or altarpieces in the parish church of Ternant are a fine example of this.

The parish church of Saint-Roch was built in 1820 using materials from the demolition of the former collegiate church of Notre-Dame, founded in 1444. The priceless treasure of two magnificent triptychs dates from the 15th century, and these masterpieces of Flemish art are both listed historic monuments.

The altarpiece of the Virgin (height 1.58 m, width 3.15 m) was commissioned by Philippe de Ternant, chamberlain to Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy and Knight of the Golden Fleece, and his wife Isabeau de Roye.
It was made between 1444 and 1454, the date of Philippe de Ternant's death. The central panel, in carved, painted and gilded wood, depicts episodes from the Dormition of the Virgin. The oil-painted shutters depict other scenes from the life of Notre-Dame. At either end, the donors are kneeling before an altar, on the left Philippe de Ternant accompanied by John the Baptist, on the right Isabeau de Roye with Saint Catherine. Philippe de Ternant, wearing the chequered coat of arms (the house coat of arms), and his wife Isabeau, in full regalia, also appear.

The Passion altarpiece (height 2.38 m, length 5.45 m) was commissioned by Charles de Ternant, son of Philippe and companion of Charles the Fearless. Made in a Brabant workshop in 1460, it was intended to adorn the high altar of the new church in Ternant. It consists of a central panel in carved, painted and gilded wood, and wooden shutters painted in oil. It depicts various scenes from the Passion and Glorification of Christ. In the large triptych, dedicated to the Passion, Charles de Ternant and his wife Jeanne are shown kneeling.