Plaque
1300-1400
Medium
Decorative Arts
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly
Accession Number
1929.8.240.20
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite plaque, dating from 1300-1400, captures the poignant Crucifixion scene, a central motif in medieval Christian art. Crafted by an unidentified artist during the late Middle Ages, it exemplifies decorative arts from a time when religious imagery adorned homes, churches, and personal altars, serving as aids for devotion and contemplation. Though details of its exact origin remain elusive, its survival speaks to the enduring reverence for Christ's sacrifice amid an era of Gothic fervor and spiritual intensity. As a work in decorative arts, the plaque likely employed techniques like...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –