In pictures: Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece

The Isenheim altarpiece was painted by the German artist Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516 for the hospital chapel of St Anthony's monastery in Isenheim, near Colmar (then in Germany). The altarpiece is a complicated structure with two sets of folding wings, like a double cupboard, enclosing the final altarpiece, which consists of three carved wood statues of saints. As well as containing a beautiful depiction of Christ's nativity, often reproduced, it also offers some more surprising - and considerably less appealing - scenes. Take a closer look at Grünewald's masterpiece here ...

  • The nativity scene from the central panel inside the Isenheim Altarpiece, portraying the Virgin Mary and infant Christ hymned by the angelic host
    The Isenheim Altarpiece

  • Close the altarpiece's wings and Grünewald's harrowingly detailed depiction of the Crucifixion, which portrays Christ at the other extreme of his life, appears
    The Isenheim Altarpiece

  • Another view of the altarpiece, featuring the temptation of St Antony, the chapel's patron saint - the saint's hair is being pulled by gruesomely realised demons as part of his tribulations in the desert
    The Temptation of St. Anthony from the Isenheim Altarpiece

  • In the bottom-left of the temptation scene, a scaly, sore-ridden and vaguely gangrenous creature can be seen
    The Temptation of St. Anthony by Matthias Grunewald

  • Demons raging, another detail from the altarpiece
    The Isenheim Altarpiece
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