TheHarbaville Triptych (Greek:Τρίπτυχο Αρμπαβίλ) is aByzantineivorytriptych of the middle of the 10th century with aDeesis and other saints, now in theLouvre. Traces of colouring can still be seen on some figures. It is regarded as the finest, and best-preserved, of the "Romanos group" of ivories from a workshop inConstantinople, probably closely connected with the Imperial Court.
The group takes its name from the Romanos and Eudokia ivory plaque in theCabinet des Médailles of theBibliothèque nationale de France, Paris showing Christ crowning an Emperor, named as Romanos, and his Empress. This is thought to be eitherRomanos II,crowned in 959, or possiblyRomanos IV, crowned in 1068. Related works are in Rome, the Vatican, and Moscow, this last another coronation probably datable to 944.[1]
Of this "Romanos group" theHarbaville Triptych is considered "by far the finest, for it shows an elegance and delicacy which are absent in the others. All are in the polished, elegant style typical of the Court school."[2] Other groups of ivories have also been identified, presumably representing the output of different workshops, perhaps also employed by the Court, but generally of lower quality, or at least refinement.[3] Since much greater numbers of ivories survive than panel paintings from the period, they are very important for the history ofMacedonian art.
All sides of the triptych are fully carved, with more saints on the outsides of the side leaves, and an elaborate decorative scheme on the back of the central leaf.
The ivory's early history is unrecorded. It derives its name from its first known owner, the antiquarian Louis-François Harbaville (1791-1866), who inherited it from his in-laws, the Beugny de Pommeras family ofArras. It was purchased for the Louvre in 1891 from Harbaville's grandsons and heirs.
Media related toHarbaville Triptych at Wikimedia Commons