Christ Blessing
The Met
Artist: Segna di Buonaventura(Italian, active Siena by 1298–died 1326/31)
Date: ca. 1311
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Tempera on wood, gold ground
Dimensions: Overall, with shaped top, 15 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (39.4 x 24.1 cm); painted surface 14 x 8 1/8 in. (35.6 x 20.6 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Adele L. Lehman, in memory of Arthur Lehman, 1965
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Half-length bearded man in red cloak, holding a book and gesturing, against a gold background
Detailed Description
A vertical, arched panel depicts a half-length figure of a man against a gold background. The man is positioned centrally, facing forward. He has medium-length brown hair, a full brown beard, and a mustache. His skin tone is light, with rosy cheeks. He wears a dark blue or black tunic with a pattern of light-colored, possibly gold, diagonal lines forming a chevron-like design on the sleeves and chest. Over his left shoulder and draped across his body is a bright red cloak. His right hand is raised to chest level, with the palm facing outward, two fingers extended upwards, and the thumb and other two fingers bent. His left hand holds a closed book against his lower left side. The book has a light-colored cover, possibly white or cream, with dark bands across it and some faint, dark markings that could be text or decoration. Behind the man's head is a circular halo, rendered in gold with a patterned design. Within the halo, a cross shape is visible, also in gold, with intricate geometric patterns filling the spaces. The entire background is a textured gold, showing some areas of wear and slight discoloration, particularly along the edges and top arch.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
