Icon of the Lamentation

12th–13th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 303

The Lamentation over the body of the dead Christ is set between mountain peaks. The Virgin embraces Christ as he is being prepared for burial. Similar roughly carved icons have been associated with Venetian imitations of Byzantine art; more recently it has been suggested that they might be mementos of Crusader visits to sites in the Holy Land.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Icon of the Lamentation
Date: 12th–13th century
Geography: Made in Venice or ?
Culture: Byzantine
Medium: Elephant ivory
Dimensions: Overall: 3 13/16 x 1 3/4 x 5/16 in. (9.7 x 4.4 x 0.8 cm)
Classification: Ivories-Elephant
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.65
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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