Condemned Soldiers from Scenes from the Life of Saint Nicholas
This scene is one of two that illustrate an early episode in the life of Saint Nicholas, soon after he was elected bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the fourth century. Here two knights, identified by their shirts of mail, are being falsely accused of treason and condemned by the consul. A third knight, the right arm of the consul, and the beginning of the inscription—[S N]ICO/ LAVS: PR[A]ESES/ MILITES (Nicholas protects the soldiers)—were lost when the panel was cut down at an undetermined time. In the second scene (acc. no. 1980.263.3), Nicholas responds to the knights' prayers by appearing before the counsul to plead for their release. A palace guard looks on from the left.
The panels probably came from an ambulatory chapel dedicated to Saint Nicolas in the cathedral of Soissons, whose choir was under construction in the 1190s. This type of composition, in which each narrative element is framed under an arcade, is among the earliest known examples of its kind and is strongly associated with Soissons. The elegant figural style and flowing drapery patterns exemplify a classicizing trend found in northern France from the late twelfth through early thirteenth century.
The panels probably came from an ambulatory chapel dedicated to Saint Nicolas in the cathedral of Soissons, whose choir was under construction in the 1190s. This type of composition, in which each narrative element is framed under an arcade, is among the earliest known examples of its kind and is strongly associated with Soissons. The elegant figural style and flowing drapery patterns exemplify a classicizing trend found in northern France from the late twelfth through early thirteenth century.
Artwork Details
- Title: Condemned Soldiers from Scenes from the Life of Saint Nicholas
- Date: ca. 1200–1210
- Geography: Made in Picardy, France
- Culture: French
- Medium: Pot-metal glass and vitreous paint
- Dimensions: Overall: 21 5/16 x 16in. (54.2 x 40.7cm)
- Classification: Glass-Stained
- Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.263.2
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
French
ca. 1200–1210
French
1245–47
French
1245–47
French
ca. 1200–1210
Austrian
1340–50
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Showing 4 of 7
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.