Iconology of the Wayfarer Triptych – Detail

Above Death’s door is a window with a crucifix set in it. The slightly open door is precisely aligned with the window embrasure; together with the column they form a solid vertical structure. In this way Death is consigned to a closely confined area on the edge of existence. Furthermore a brilliant ray of light falling from the crucifix upon the dying man as a reminder of eternal life overcomes Death’s shadowy arrow, showing that his power is limited to the earthly realm. (p. 299)

Interceding grace emanating from above takes away sin, as the beam of light from the crucified Christ overcomes the “sting of death” [English Standard Version Bible, 2001, I Corinthians, 15:55-56] and robs Hell of its victory. (p. 300)

Bosch also includes the angelic component of the Ars moriendi. Behind the back of the old man in the bed kneels a guardian angel, whose hand rests upon his shoulder. The angel gazes upward and gestures with his right hand toward the upper left corner of the chamber. There a small, lone window admits a bean of light from heaven, which passes downward through the narrow opening and past a crucifix to fall upon the old man in the bed. However, the sudden appearance of Death at his door has transfixed the old man’s own gaze directly across from him and absorbs his full attention, thus preventing him from beholding either the light or the crucifix above. (p. 242)

There a small, lone window admits a bean of light from heaven, which passes downward through the narrow opening and past a crucifix to fall upon the old man in the bed. (p. 242)