Diptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned and the Crucifixion
Eastern Mediterranean or Italy
The "Diptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned and the Crucifixion" is a Byzantine-influenced work, likely created in the Eastern Mediterranean or Italy, reflecting the cross-cultural artistic exchanges of the medieval period. The diptych format, featuring the Virgin and Child on one panel and the Crucifixion on the other, served both devotional and didactic purposes, illustrating key Christian themes for private contemplation.
The "Diptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned and the Crucifixion" features two panels, with the left panel depicting the Virgin Mary seated on a throne, holding the Christ Child, surrounded by angels, characterized by the use of gold leaf to highlight the divine presence and intricate detailing in the figures' garments. The right panel presents the Crucifixion scene, with Christ on the cross flanked by mourners, utilizing a somber color palette and expressive figures to convey the gravity of the event, typical of the tempera medium's capacity for fine detail and vibrant color.