![\"Christ](\"http:\/\/assets.courtauld.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/31143028\/P-1978-PG-45-png-11018-207x300.jpg\")
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This image,\u00a0Christ Crowned with Thorns<\/em>, from the Circle of Bouts represents the sixth station of the cross (the representation of Christ\u2019s final hours). Both the subject and size of this work are indicative of the viewer\u2019s devotion. In part, the intensity of this image results from our reaction to the blood and tears emanating from the figure, which is further emphasized by Christ\u2019s penetrating gaze, engaging the empathy of the viewer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n The intricately carved scenes of Mary rejoicing in the Christ child\u2019s birth and lamenting his death would have helped the often illiterate medieval viewer to understand these stories through sight and touch.<\/p>\n This ivory was principally a devotional object which would have originally been held in the palm of one\u2019s hand like a prayer book. However, its power lay in the visual, not textual, description of Christ\u2019s bodily anguish and the Virgin\u2019s compassion.<\/p>\n When it is partly closed, the Virgin looks both at the Christ child and into the dead Christ\u2019s face, as if to foresee his later suffering<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The painting and ivory diptych in this room were designed to deepen faith through private study and contemplation. Their scale and intricacy encouraged the beholder to meditate upon Christ\u2019s suffering. How can we relate to these works of art today? The atmosphere of this small room encourages us to engage more intimately with these works,…<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n![\"Vierge](\"http:\/\/assets.courtauld.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/31143027\/O-1966-GP-10-6-tif-14166-300x225.jpg\")