Design for a Silver Vessel with Scenes from the Passion of Christ
Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen Netherlandish
Not on view
This design for an oval dish beautifully illustrates that Paulus van Vianen was not only a goldsmith, but also an excellent designer and draftsman. The dish has a religious theme with four compartments containing scenes from the Passion of Christ. From left to right and top to bottom are depicted: The Capture of Christ; Ecce Homo; The Crucifixion; The Resurrection. Van Vianen has further decorated the dish with angels, cherubs and trophies containing the so-called Arma Christi. Where parts have been left empty on the left side, we can assume Van Vianen intended a repetition of those motifs seen on the right. Unknown is what was to be depicted in the center of the dish.
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