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Descent from the Cross

12th century

Not on view

Joseph of Arimathea lowers the crucified body of Christ toward the Virgin in this ivory plaque, while Saint John the Evangelist grieves on a nearby rock and Nicodemus removes a nail from Christ’s foot. The inscription on the upper edge claims that Bishop Bernward commissioned the work in 1006, but both an error in the inscription and the carving style, with its unusual poses and crude details, suggest a later date.

Descent from the Cross, Ivory, Italian — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Descent from the Cross

Date: 12th century

Culture: Italian

Medium: Ivory

Dimensions: Overall: 5 1/16 x 4 in. (12.9 x 10.2 cm)

Classification: Ivories

Credit Line: Dom-Museum Hildesheim (DS 11)

Accession Number: SL.5.2013.1.7

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.