Mary, Jesus, John the Evangelist

Centre panel of the Braque triptych. The work was a turning-point in art north of the Alps. It was one of the first times that saints were depicted in this manner: midway up high, against a background of a worldly landscape, suggesting the universal scope of Christ's message.

The legend over Christ's head reads: "ego sum panis vivus", or "I am the living bread". It is a phrase from John 6.

The legend over Mary's head reads: "Magnificat anima mea Dominum: Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo", or in English "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour". It is a line from the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55).

Above John it reads: "Et Verbum caro factum est Et habitavit in nobis", in English: "And the Word was made flesh, And dwelt among us". That text is from John 1:14 and was also used in the Angelus, a catholic prayer.

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• left wing: John the Baptist
• centre panel: Mary, Jesus, John the Evangelist
• right wing: Mary Magdalene