The stunning Weston Triptych is one of the first artworks that greets visitors to the Museum – these glowing oil-painted panels would once have formed part of a magnificent altarpiece in the Priory Church and would have been a focus for prayer and meditation. The Triptych is decorated with scenes from the Bible – with the wings closed, you would just see the outer wings, with the character of St John the Baptist, the patron of the Order of St John, on the left, and the Holy Trinity on the right. On special occasions and feast days, the altarpiece wings would be opened, showing the centre panel (sadly, now lost) and the inner panels: on the left, scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, and, on the right, the Presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple.

The Triptych was originally displayed in the Priory Church but was moved to the Museum galleries, on the advice of conservation experts, so that the paint surface could be better preserved and maintained under museum conditions.

Conservation work on the painting has revealed some of the fascinating story behind its ownership. When the conservator removed paint near the feet of John the Baptist, she found that there were two coats of arms underneath, which had been painted over – one of these was partially visible under the overpaint, but the other had only a shadow remaining. The arms could not be identified and it is not clear when they were covered up.

It also appeared that the arms of Prior Weston, on one of the inner panels, had been added after the original painting was complete. This suggests that the painting may have been commissioned by one person and acquired by Weston at a slightly later date, and that he had his own coat of arms and badge added before presenting the Triptych to the Church.

At a much later date, an inscription “Syr John Weston Prior of” in Gothic lettering had also been added, but this was removed during conservation, as it was not thought to be contemporary with the original painting.

Conservation is an essential part of the Museum’s work, making sure our collections can continue to delight and amaze for years to come – join our Save our Sepulchre campaign to join the fight!

Abrahams, P., The Restoration and Conservation of the Weston Triptych and Other Works of Art of the Order of St John (London, St John Historical Society Proceedings, 1987-88)