The Bible in Pictures

In the central panel Michael stands in golden armour and weighs the risen; above him Christ sits on the rainbow among the apostles. On the left wing Peter receives the blessed at the stairs to the gate of heaven; the right wing is fire and falling bodies.

Angelo Tani, who ran the Medici bank in Bruges, ordered the triptych for a church near Florence. In 1473 the ship that carried it was captured by the Danzig privateer Paul Beneke, and the altarpiece was given to St Mary's Church in Danzig. It has stayed in the city ever since, apart from two forced journeys to Paris and to Russia.

A kneeling soul weighs heavier than a despairing one. In Michael's breastplate the scene is mirrored.

A kneeling soul weighs heavier than a despairing one. In Michael's breastplate the scene is mirrored.

Peter takes the first of the blessed by the hand at the foot of the crystal stairs.

Peter takes the first of the blessed by the hand at the foot of the crystal stairs.