Holy Face

The frontal representation of Christ's face was a common devotional image in Northern Europe during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Artists were responding to a spiritual trend that emphasized meditation and reflection on Christ's humanity and passion. Private prayer was encouraged, and small panels like this were easily transported and suitable for domestic use. Although the artist of this panel is unknown, the image relates to similar works by the Netherlandish painters Hans Memling, Gerard David, and Dirk Bouts. The latter artist was largely responsible for the invention of the image of Christ Crowned with Thorns, paired with the Weeping or Sorrowful Virgin.