Christ on the Cross Adored by Saints Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena (Recto); Saint Dominic with Saints and Worshipping Nuns (Verso)
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Object Label
This is a typical example of the two-sided panels carried in fifteenth-century religious processions. Such objects were regularly handled and exposed to the elements. On one side, the theologian Thomas Aquinas and the mystic Catherine of Siena, who holds the heart that Christ gave to her, flank the Crucified Christ. On the reverse, Saint Dominic holds a stem of lilies and spreads his cloak protectively over a group of kneeling Dominican nuns and novices, suggesting that this panel belonged to a Dominican convent.
The letters “IHS” in the background on both sides are a Christogram: a monogram derived from the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, iota-eta-sigma.
Caption
Lorenzo d'Alessandro da San Severino Italian, School of the Marches, documented 1462–1503. Christ on the Cross Adored by Saints Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena (Recto); Saint Dominic with Saints and Worshipping Nuns (Verso), ca. 1490. Tempera on two panels, 17 1/8 x 12 3/4 in. (43.5 x 32.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Felix M. Warburg in memory of her husband, 41.894a-b. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.894_side1_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Christ on the Cross Adored by Saints Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena (Recto); Saint Dominic with Saints and Worshipping Nuns (Verso)
Date
ca. 1490
Geography
Place made: Italy
Medium
Tempera on two panels
Classification
Dimensions
17 1/8 x 12 3/4 in. (43.5 x 32.4 cm)
Inscriptions
Inscribed recto left: "Bene scripisti de me Tomeus" Inscribed recto right: "Crea in me Deus"
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Felix M. Warburg in memory of her husband
Accession Number
41.894a-b
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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Frequent Art Questions
Can you tell me more about this?
This is a terrific example of portable art made to be carried to religious processions. The two scenes show the moments just before and after Christ's death. One side includes three images of Saint Dominic which suggests that this piece was made for a convent devoted to him.Is this frame made of real gold?
It is wood that has been carved and gilded--covered in real gold leaf. The wood is first covered in a red clay-like material called bole with acts as an adhesive and makes the gold appear more warm. If you look closely, you may be able to see some of the red color showing through.The frame is likely original and is very typical of Renaissance design. It closely resembles classical architecture that was being revived in the 15th century.Tell me more.
This processional object shows Christ on the cross on one side and Saint Dominic with saints and nuns on the other. It was probably made for a convent devoted to Saint Dominic.The double sided painting form was popular in the Marches, or the Adriatic Italian coast, in the 14th and 15th centuries. The cross nearby is also processional!You may have noticed on the other side how saint Dominic opens his cloak to shield Dominican Nuns. This pose is also a common way of showing the Virgin Mary as the Virgin of Mercy.
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