nikhil.io

Unknown Artist

Walrus ivory with traces of paint and gilding

The Cloisters Collection, 2005 (2005.274)

This is one of the finest surviving medieval images in ivory of the crucified Christ. It is extraordinary in its monumental character and the sensitive rendering of the human body. Stylistically, it accords well with works produced in Paris around 1300, during the reign of King Philip the Fair (r. 1285–1314), but the use of walrus ivory suggests that the sculpture was carved by a Parisian artist (or one who had trained in the French capital) active in England, Scandinavia, or Cologne, where walrus ivory was more readily available than costly elephant tusks.

I told one of my friends that this was the most beautiful work I had seen that day. She examined the piece, nodded, and went “Yeah wow… skinny legend.”

I won’t forget that evaluation for as long as I live.