Meester van de Heilige Elisabeth-Panelen – Buitenzijde van de rechter vleugel van een altaarstuk met de Sint Elisabethsvloed, 18-19 november 1421, met de dijkbreuk bij Wieldrecht, 1490-1495 Rijksmuseum: part 3

The composition presents a densely populated landscape dominated by a catastrophic flood event. Here we observe a sprawling vista encompassing both built structures and natural terrain, all submerged in turbulent water. The foreground is occupied primarily by boats laden with livestock – sheep are particularly prominent – being navigated through the inundated environment. Figures clad in period attire populate these vessels, their expressions unreadable amidst the chaos.
The middle ground reveals a townscape partially swallowed by the floodwaters. Buildings of varying sizes and architectural styles stand precariously close to the waterline, some already breached and showing signs of structural damage. Church spires rise above the water level, acting as visual markers within the scene’s expanse. A sense of scale is established through the inclusion of distant hills and a hazy horizon line populated by sailing ships, suggesting a wider geographical context for this disaster.
The artist employed a muted palette, with earthy tones dominating the composition. The brown-grey hues of the water contrast with the darker greens of the trees and the lighter colors of the buildings, creating a visual hierarchy that draws attention to the devastation. Light appears diffused, contributing to an overall atmosphere of gloom and despair.
Subtexts within this scene are layered and complex. Beyond the literal depiction of a flood, there is a clear commentary on human vulnerability in the face of natural forces. The presence of livestock being transported suggests not only immediate survival but also the preservation of resources for future recovery. The figures’ stoicism – or perhaps resignation – in the face of such adversity hints at themes of faith and endurance.
The meticulous detail afforded to individual buildings and objects, even amidst the destruction, implies a desire on the part of the artist to document not only the event itself but also the cultural landscape that has been impacted. The inclusion of animals, often symbolic in medieval art, could represent innocence or the disruption of natural order. Ultimately, this painting offers a poignant reflection on loss, resilience, and the precariousness of human existence within a world governed by unpredictable forces.