The Death of Christ 

The Limbourg brothers made this illumination, The Death of Christ, in the early 15th century. It is created with ink on vellum. The image asks us to consider the public role of art in an age of faith. The crowded scene depicts Christ's crucifixion in shades of gray, while God looks down from above in full color. Its somber tones serve to amplify the suffering and sacrifice at the heart of Christian belief. The image’s formal restraint reinforces the solemnity of the scene. As an illumination from a book of hours, this image would have served a devotional purpose, offering the wealthy patron a private encounter with sacred history. The marginal roundels showing scenes of Christ being mocked remind the viewer of the cruelty of his executioners. By studying the material history of illuminated manuscripts, including their patronage and reception, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, faith, and power in the late medieval world.