The Crucifixion
Panel
ca. 1400 (made)
ca. 1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Christ is shown dead on the cross with his feet nailed separately. On the right the Virgin Mary is shown supported by another of the Marys and St John in the background while on the left there is a centurion and another figure.
The top of the panel is battlemented.
The top of the panel is battlemented.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Crucifixion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Panel, alabaster, The Crucifixion, England, ca. 1400. |
| Physical description | The panel has an embattled top. The haloed and bearded Christ, wearing the torse and naked but for the loincloth, is shown on the cross in the centre of the panel, his head inclined to his right. Unusually, Christ's feet are placed side by side instead of one resting on the other. The veiled figure of the Virgin Mary, wearing a belted gown, is represented swooning to the left against the two figures of Mary Magdalene and Mary Cleophas. One of them is supporting the Virgin. On the right of the panel, facing right, stands a bearded figure, identified as the centurion mentioned in the gospels; he wears a conical hat with a turned-up brim and a belted gown, and points back to Christ with his right hand. A scroll curving up to the right from his hand was presumably previously inscribed 'Vere Filius Dei erat iste.' Behind him to the right is the figure of a man wearing a rolled-brim hat who may be intended to represent Longinus. The right hand of the Virgin and the left hand of the figure on the right of the panel are broken. The top of the panel, including a piece of the battlementing, is chipped. Green paint remains on the ground at the bottom of the panel. Traces of red paint remain elsewhere on the panel, particularly on the robes of the standing figures and on Christ's halo. A considerable amount of gilt remains on the background, with the remains of gesso knobs. There are traces of a painted inscription in black at the bottom of the panel. The back of the panel is marked with a large 'X' scored on the surface. There are two lead-filled holes with the remains of latten wires. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'X' Note On the back of the panel.; incising |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in London. On loan from him to the Museum since 1930. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Christ is shown dead on the cross with his feet nailed separately. On the right the Virgin Mary is shown supported by another of the Marys and St John in the background while on the left there is a centurion and another figure. The top of the panel is battlemented. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 248 (cat. 175), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.176-1946 |
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| Record created | November 26, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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