Crucifixion Triptych

Unknown Artist

15th century

Crucifixion Triptych by Unknown Artist

Medium

Pearwood

Dimensions

Overall: 4 15/16 x 5 7/8 x 1/4in. (12.6 x 15 x 0.6cm) wings closed: 2 15/16 x 9/16in. (7.4 x 1.4cm) wing: 1 7/16 x 1/4in. (3.7 x 0.6cm)

Classification

Sculpture-Wood

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Accession Number

17.190.172

Tags

Saint John the BaptistCrucifixionEvangelistsChristVirgin Mary

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Crucifixion Tych*, carved in pearwood by an unknown German artist in the 15 century, is a exquisite example of late medieval devotional art. Measuring just under 5 inches wide when open, this tiny sculpture unfolds like a portable prayer book, with a central panel depicting Christ's Crucion flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist. wings likely feature the Evangelists, inviting intimate contemplation of salvation's core mystery. Pearwood, prized for its fine grain and resistance to splitting, allowed the sculptor to achieve remarkable detail on such a minuscule sca...

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