The outer panels place the work on the Third Day of Creation. The intricacy of its symbolism, particularly that of the central panel, has led to a wide range of scholarly interpretations over the centuries.
Twentieth-century art historians are divided as to whether the triptych's central panel is a moral warning or a panorama of the paradise lost. He painted three large triptychs the others are The Last Judgment of c.
Each of these three works presents distinct yet linked themes addressing history and faith. Triptychs from this period were generally intended to be read sequentially, the left and right panels often portraying Eden and the Last Judgment respectively, while the main subject was contained in the centerpiece.
It is not known whether The Garden was intended as an altarpiece , but the general view is that the extreme subject matter of the inner center and right panels make it unlikely that it was planned for a church or monastery.
When the triptych's wings are closed, the design of the outer panels becomes visible. Rendered in a green—gray grisaille , [ 5 ] these panels lack colour, probably because most Netherlandish triptychs were thus painted, but possibly indicating that the painting reflects a time before the creation of the sun and moon, which were formed, according to Christian theology, to "give light to the earth".
