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Christ Crowned with Thorns

Matteo di Giovanni (c.1430–1495)

The National Gallery, London

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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After being condemned to death, Christ was forcibly crowned with a wreath of thorns. This was the Roman soldiers' attempt to humiliate him as, amongst other things, Christ was accused of claiming to be ‘the king of the Jews’. Images like this confronted viewers with Christ's suffering, encouraging their empathy and leading to deeper devotion.Christ's halo -- not always included in such images -- is inscribed with the abbreviated Greek version of Christ’s name, meaning 'Jesus Christ of Nazareth'. The Latin script around the edges of the picture comes from the New Testament book of Philippians (2: 10). The same verse is sometimes inscribed on the plaque of Saint Bernardino, a fervent preacher active in Siena in the fifteenth century who promoted devotion to the name of Jesus.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Date

1480-95

Medium

Tempera on wood

Measurements

H 21.6 x W 21.6 cm

Accession number

NG247

Acquisition method

Bought, 1854

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Matteo di Giovanni

c.1430–1495

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