Page of Christ at the Column (detail) by UNKNOWN MASTER, French in the Web Gallery of Art, a searchable image collection and database of European paintings and sculptures (1100-1850)

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Christ at the Column (detail)

15th century
Stone
Church of St Nizier, Troyes

During the 15th century Christians were constantly reminded of the Passion and death of Christ. Calvary, the Crucifixion, Ecce Homo, the Man of Sorrows, the Flagellation - all these were frequent themes, and became ritual images to be fervently worshipped through several centuries. The Christ in St. Nizier at Troyes presents a tortured face. Treated schematically in large planes, the forehead crushed by the crown of thorns, this is no longer the visage of a willing and lucid victim, but of a man tormented, scourged and beaten, whose bruised face is set in an expression of overwhelming pain.