Scenes from the Life of Christ

Woodcut, 1490 circa.

A beautiful impression, printed on laid paper without watermark, with margins, paper folds and small repairs perfectly executed, otherwise in excellent condition.

In the centre of the composition is the figure of Christ seated on a stone, with his wrists tied and his head crowned with thorns and surrounded by a halo. Around him are seven episodes from the life of Christ, arranged on three sides, so that, in keeping with the strong Christian symbolism associated with the number 3, there are three illustrations on each side. The episodes, with the exception of one depicting the Circumcision of Jesus, are all inspired by the cycle of the Passion of Christ: Jesus in the Garden of Olives; Jesus at the Pillar; Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers; Jesus Stripped of His Clothes; Jesus Nailed to the Cross; and finally Jesus Dying. The arrangement of the scenes does not follow a chronological order, in accordance with a custom also found in older Christian iconography.

The work is not mentioned in the bibliographies consulted.