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Notes
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The artist of this panel has sculpted the drops of blood which fall from Christ’s side and hands and then painted over them to emphasise their gore. The circular wounds in Christ’s hands were caused by the nails of the Crucifixion and the wound in his ribcage by a Roman soldier’s spear. Christ’s head dangles limply to one side and heavy eyelids seal his eyes closed. He is shown in death but standing upright in his open tomb. This kind of image showing the dead Christ with a focus on his wounds was called the ‘Imago Pietatis’ (‘image of pity’) or the Man of Sorrows. It was based upon an image from Byzantium, the Eastern Christian empire, and its purpose was to inspire empathy for Christ’s suffering and death. Byzantine images were particularly popular in Venice which had close links with Byzantium.
Title
The Man of Sorrows
Date
about 1385-1400
Medium
Egg tempera on poplar
Measurements
H 48 x W 30.4 cm
Accession number
NG3893
Acquisition method
Presented by Henry Wagner, 1924
Work type
Painting
