The main panel depicts the Crucifixion in its standard form on the Hill of Golgotha outside Jerusalem. The Centurion is piercing Christ’s side with his lance while the Magdalen with her alabaster box of ointment weeps at the foot of the Cross. On either side are the Virgin, on the left and St. John the Evangelist on the right. The other four scenes which appear when the altarpiece is open are from the Passion of Christ, depicted in the chronological order of the events running from top left to bottom right. When closed, the altarpiece represents a sequence of events with St. Norbert (circa 1080-1134) who was the founder of the Premonstatensian Order of White Canons. St. Norbert’s presence on the altarpiece suggests that the original patron was from that Order. The Saint is shown receiving a cope from the Virgin, which is probably symbolic of his becoming Archbishop of Magdeburg in 1126, the year in which his order was recognised by the Pope. The Saint’s mitre is on the step beside him and on the right St. Francis is shown receiving the stigmata. The relatively small scale of this altarpiece suggests that it was for a chapel and in the background of the St. Norbert panel there is visible part of just such a small work.

‍