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Head of Christ

12th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 303
Byzantine churches were often decorated with shimmering mosaics, portraying events from the life of Christ on their upper walls. This fragmentary head of Christ, with its caring expression, is probably from such a scene.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of Christ
  • Date: 12th century
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Glass tesserae set in concrete
  • Dimensions: Overall: 22 13/16 x 17 1/2 x 1 3/8 in. (58 x 44.5 x 3.5 cm)
  • Classification: Mosaics
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mary Jaharis, in memory of her late husband, Michael, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.145
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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