French, Limoges
Book Cover Plaque: The Crucifixion, about 1200-1220
Champlevé enamel on copper, partly gilded, 22.9 x 10.8 cm (9 x 4 1/4 in.)
This colorful, vertical book cover plaque shows the figure of Jesus Christ on the cross with four human figures, one each side of him and two above. Christ and the heads of the other figures have been raised from the copper. They are shown without additional color except for gilded accents. The two figures on either side of Jesus and above have their hands raised and are robbed. Their halos are blue and white enamel. The two figures above Jesus are winged, and between them is a hand descending from the clouds and pointing at Jesus on the cross. The cross is green enamel and gilding. The background of the plaque is blue and decorated with small round forms in various shades of enamel.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.