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Workshop of Quinten Massys, 'Christ', about 1510-25

About the work

Christ gazes directly out at us from this small panel. Raising his right hand in blessing, he holds in his left hand a glass or crystal orb, decorated with gold bands set with pearls. On top of the orb is a jewelled gold cross and Christ wears a brooch set with precious stones.

This is Christ as Salvator Mundi (‘Saviour of the World’); the praying Virgin in the other panel is interceding with him on behalf of sinful humanity. Close observation reveals the fronts of three gabled houses reflected in the orb. This panel would probably have been used for private meditation, and the artist is cleverly suggesting the earthly realm of the Renaissance viewer.

Key facts

Full title
Christ
Artist
Workshop of Quinten Massys
Artist dates
1465/6 - 1530
Part of the group
Diptych: Christ and the Virgin
Date made
about 1510-25
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
58.2 × 33.2 cm
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1857
Inventory number
NG295.1
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

About the group: Diptych: Christ and the Virgin

Workshop of Quinten Massys, 'Diptych: Christ and the Virgin', about 1510-25

This composition of Christ as the Salvator Mundi (‘Saviour of the World’) adored by his mother, the Virgin Mary, was very popular in the early sixteenth century. These are workshop copies of originals painted by Quinten Massys towards the beginning of his career. His workshop then continued to produce further versions over a long period.

These panels were painted by Massys‘ two main associates, one working on each; some less important areas were delegated to assistants, who perhaps worked on both. Although the panels have always been regarded as a diptych (a painting made of two parts) they were not actually made to go together. The Virgin probably came from the stock in Massys’ workshop and was cut down to be paired with the painting of Christ.

Christ
Christ
Workshop of Quinten Massys
Christ gazes directly out at us from this small panel. Raising his right hand in blessing, he holds in his left hand a glass or crystal orb, decorated with gold bands set with pearls. On top of the orb is a jewelled gold cross and Christ wears a brooch set with precious stones.This is Christ as S...
Not on display
The Virgin
The Virgin
Workshop of Quinten Massys
The Virgin Mary gazes to her right, her hands folded in prayer. She is richly dressed: her mantle is edged with delicate gold embroidery dotted with pearls, and her blue underdress is lined with brown fur. On her head is a circlet of three strands of pearls held with a jewelled catch, and a trans...
Not on display

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