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French, Île de France

Diptych with scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Last Judgement, ca. 1275–1325

Now On View

Description

Maker

Culture

French

Title

Diptych with scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Last Judgement

Year

ca. 1275–1325

Medium

Ivory with traces of polychromy (colored paint)

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Dimensions

Panel: 24.1 x 13.3 cm (9 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches) (each)

Place

Île de France

Type

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

22.201

Projects & Publications

Publications

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

European Galleries

This handheld sculpture was made for private meditation. It is similar in size and intimacy to miniature paintings in prayer books, and it also functions as a small version of a church altarpiece. It was carved from ivory imported from Africa, and prized for its lustrous, pearl-like surface.

The scenes narrate the life of Christ’s mother, Mary. At the lower left, she learns of her miraculous pregnancy and gives birth, then (moving right) presents her son to wise men bearing gifts. At the top, Mary suffers at the Crucifixion, is crowned in heaven, and, finally, kneels beside her son on Judgment Day.

Related

French

Diptych with scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Last Judgment, ca. 1275-1325

French

Diptych with scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Last Judgment, late 1000s

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Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Diptych with scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Last Judgement with the accession number of 22.201. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.