Christ Bearing the Cross
The Met
Artist: Nicolaos Tzafouris(Greek, ca. 1455–1500/1501)
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil and tempera on wood, gold ground
Dimensions: 27 1/4 x 21 1/2 in. (69.2 x 54.6 cm)
Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Jesus with a halo carries a cross, accompanied by armored soldiers in a rocky landscape
Detailed Description
A vertical rectangular painting depicts a scene with multiple figures on a gold background, set against a stylized rocky landscape. In the center, Jesus, depicted with a pale complexion and a golden halo, wears a long, dark red robe. He is barefoot and carries a large wooden cross over his right shoulder, looking down. To Jesus's left, a group of five soldiers stands close together, facing right. They wear elaborate armor in shades of gold, red, and blue, with helmets and spears. Their attire includes patterned tunics, shin guards, and boots. The soldier closest to Jesus wears a red tunic and gold armor, holding a spear. To Jesus's right, a single soldier in full silver-grey plate armor, including a helmet, stands facing left, helping to support the cross with his left hand. He wears a red banner with "SPQR" written in white on his right shoulder and carries a sword. Behind the figures, a stylized, jagged rocky landscape in grey and brown tones rises on both sides. In the center background, a grey building with a dark doorway is visible between the rocks. The sky is a flat gold. The ground is a flat, light brown. Above the figures, near the top center, Greek text "ΕΛΚΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΟΠΙΣΤΡΟΥ" is inscribed in white on the gold background.
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