Panel with Scene from the Life of a Saint

second half 11th century

On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 14

On this panel four men hoist what appears to be a palm tree, or possibly a column, over a nude male figure, who lies on the ground and touches the tree trunk. Whether a violent or healing act, the scene may depict an episode from a life of a saint, considering that it was carved in a monastic workshop known for its use of ivory and inventive narrative imagery. Coinciding with the rise of the Christian kingdoms, the eleventh century saw a growing interest in the depiction of saints’ stories, and particularly those of early Spanish martyrs.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Panel with Scene from the Life of a Saint
Date: second half 11th century
Geography: Made in Spain
Culture: North Spanish
Medium: Elephant ivory
Dimensions: Overall: 2 7/16 x 4 7/16 x 3/8 in. (6.2 x 11.2 x 0.9 cm)
Classification: Ivories-Elephant
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.142
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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