Christ Bearing the Cross
early 16th century
Medium
Painted and partly gilt enamel on copper
Dimensions
8 1/2 × 7 in. (21.6 × 17.8 cm)
Classification
Enamels
Culture
French, Limoges
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917
Accession Number
17.120.8
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in early 16th-century France, this intimate enamel plaque depicts Christ bearing the cross, a poignant moment from the Passion narrative. Jean Pénica I, a master of the renowned Limoges enamel workshops, crafted the work using painted and partly gilt enamel on copper. This technique allowed for luminous colors delicate gold accents, transforming a small devotional object into a radiant image of faith. Limoges enamels flourished during the French Renaissance as both religious aids and treasured collectibles. The medium’s durability and jewel-like quality made these pieces especially prized for private chapels or as gifts among the nobility. Measuring just over eight inches, the plaque would have invited close contemplation, its gilded details catching the light to evoke the solemnity of Christ’s journey. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher in 1917, the work exemplifies the refined artistry of Limoges enamelers. It continues to offer visitors a vivid connection to the devotional practices and artistic innovations of early modern Europe.
About the Artist
Jean Pénicaud I · 1490–1543
**Jean Pénicaud I** (c. 1490–after 1543) was a pioneering French enameler from Limoges, born into the heart of one of the city's most illustrious artistic dynasties. The younger brother of Nardon Pénicaud (c. 1470–c. 1542), who founded the first major family of Limoges enamelers, Jean I contributed to a legacy that spanned generations, including probable descendants like Jean II and Pierre Pénicau...