Emperor Heraclius Denied Entry into Jerusalem
Netherlandish
c. 1470
Medium
Tempera and oil on panel
Dimensions
67.6 × 54.2 cm (26 5/8 × 21 5/16 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
111609
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This panel recounts the adventures of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, who rescued the True Cross and returned it to Jerusalem after its capture by Chosroës, king of Persia. These scenes were probably part of an extended narrative on an altarpiece dedicated to the Holy Cross, a relic that was much venerated in the Middle Ages. In this scene, the emperor brings the True Cross back to Jerusalem in triumph. However, an angel bars his way, pointing out the vanity of his procession in comparison to ...