Crucified Christ

Unknown

ca. 1300 · Walrus ivory with traces of paint and gilding · The Cloisters

This is one of the finest surviving medieval images in ivory of the crucified Christ. It is extraordinary in its monumental character and the sensitive rendering of the human body. Stylistically, it accords well with works produced in Paris around 1300, during the reign of King Philip the Fair (r. 1285–1314), but the use of walrus ivory suggests that the sculpture was carved by a Parisian artist (or one who had trained in the French capital) active in England, Scandinavia, or Cologne, where walrus ivory was more readily available than costly elephant tusks.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1300

Medium

Walrus ivory with traces of paint and gilding

Culture

Northern European

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 2005