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Triptych with the Passion of Christ

ca. 1475–85
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 14
This appears to be the only intact devotional triptych to survive that is decorated with mother-of-pearl plaques in openwork relief. By focusing on each scene, the owner would have been able to follow the narrative of the final moments leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus. Curiously, the story begins in the second scene from the top at the left and proceeds clockwise. Above and below the central scene are symbols of the authors of the Gospels, and also images of Jesus and of Saint Michael slaying the dragon.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Triptych with the Passion of Christ
  • Date: ca. 1475–85
  • Culture: South German
  • Medium: Mother-of-pearl, gilt wood frame, silk backing, and tooled leather covering
  • Dimensions: Overall (closed): 8 5/16 x 4 9/16 x 1 5/8 in. (21.2 x 11.6 x 4.2 cm)
    Overall (open): 8 3/8 x 9 7/16 x 7/8 in. (21.2 x 24 x 2.2 cm)
    wings: 8 3/8 x 2 3/16 x 5/8 in. (21.2 x 5.6 x 1.6 cm)
  • Classification: Miscellaneous-Shell
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 2006
  • Object Number: 2006.249
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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