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
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 pr...