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The Dead Christ with the Virgin, Saint John, and Angels

ca. 1390–1405
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306
This medallion reveals how close metalwork and painting were at the beginning of the fifteenth century: such images, often referred to in inventories as tableaux d'or, use the same pictorial conventions as panel paintings to engage the viewer. An object for private devotion, it encouraged the owner to reflect on and emulate the suffering of the holy figures. Mary and John, shown half-length, hold the dead Christ upright against the edge of the sarcophagus, a scene not mentioned in the Gospels. An angel hovers above Christ's head, with the crown of thorns in his hands. Two other angels hold a curtain behind and in front of the three main figures, both concealing and unveiling them, as in a vision.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Dead Christ with the Virgin, Saint John, and Angels
  • Date: ca. 1390–1405
  • Geography: Made in Paris, France
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Opaque and translucent enamel on gold
  • Dimensions: Overall: 2 7/16 x 2 5/16 x 3/8 in. (6.2 x 5.8 x 1 cm)
    center medallion: 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)
  • Classification: Enamels-Ronde Bosse
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.913
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Scenes from the Legend of Saint Vincent of Saragossa and the History of His Relics, Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint, and lead, French
Scenes from the Legend of Saint Vincent of Saragossa and the History of His Relics
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ca. 1245–47
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Gold, ronde-basse enamel, and jewels, French
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
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early 15th century
The Entombment of Christ, Opaque and translucent enamel on gold, French
The Entombment of Christ
French
ca. 1390–1405
Manuscript Leaf with the Crucifixion, from a Missal, Tempera and gold on parchment, French
Manuscript Leaf with the Crucifixion, from a Missal
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ca. 1270–80
Four Enamel Plaques, Cloisonné enamel, silver-gilt, jewels, French
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