Plaque with the Crucifixion
16th century
Medium
Painted enamel, copper
Dimensions
Overall: 8 3/16 x 7 11/16 x 1/16 in. (20.8 x 19.5 x 0.2 cm) Inset: 4 13/16 x 4 1/8 in. (12.3 x 10.4 cm)
Classification
Enamels-Painted
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941
Accession Number
41.100.211a
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Plaque with the Crucifixion*, by the anonymous Master of Orléans Triptych in 16th-century France, captures a pivotal moment in Christian iconography. Crafted in painted enamel on copper, the small plaque (overall 8 3/16 x 7 11/16 in.) features Christ on the cross flanked by angels, mourning women, and a figure of David, blending devotional intensity with Renaissance finesse. Enameling, a technique where finely ground glass colors are fused to metal at high temperatures, allowed for jewel-like vibrancy and durability, making these works prized possessions for private altars or p...