ticketsMember | Make a donation
English

Plaque with the Journey to Emmaus and Noli Me Tangere

ca. 1115–20
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304
According to the Gospels, Jesus appeared to his disciples several times after the Resurrection, including on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. In the encounter, represented at the top of this plaque, the disciples lament the Crucifixion, while Jesus explains the redemptive nature of his sacrifice. Below, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who at first thinks he is a gardener. When she recognizes him, he tells her not to touch him (noli me tangere) since the Ascension has not yet occurred.

The swirling drapery, elongated bodies, and emphatic gestures convey the drama of these miraculous events and relate the plaque to works produced in León, an important royal city on the pilgrimage road. This precious ivory carving was part of a larger ensemble, perhaps a reliquary shrine decorated with other scenes from the life of Jesus.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Plaque with the Journey to Emmaus and Noli Me Tangere
  • Date: ca. 1115–20
  • Geography: Made in León, Spain
  • Culture: Spanish
  • Medium: Elephant ivory, traces of gilding
  • Dimensions: Overall: 10 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 3/4 in. (27 x 13.4 x 1.9 cm)
    Weight: 30.5oz. (866g)
  • Classification: Ivories-Elephant
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.47
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Segment of a Crozier Shaft, Elephant ivory, North Spanish
Segment of a Crozier Shaft
North Spanish
late 12th century
Plaque with the Descent from the Cross, Elephant ivory, whale bone, traces of paint, and gilding, French
Plaque with the Descent from the Cross
French
ca. 1320–40
Plaque with Agnus Dei on a Cross between Emblems of the Four Evangelists, Elephant ivory, South Italian
Plaque with Agnus Dei on a Cross between Emblems of the Four Evangelists
South Italian
1000–1050
Processional Cross, Silver, partially gilt on wood core, carved gems, jewels, Spanish
Processional Cross
Spanish
ca. 1150–75
Booklet with Scenes of the Passion, Elephant ivory, polychromy, and gilding, North French (carving); Upper Rhenish (painting)
Booklet with Scenes of the Passion
North French (carving); Upper Rhenish (painting)
ca. 1300 (carving); ca. 1310–20 (painting)

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 23

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.