Christ Leaving the Praetorium 

The Limbourg brothers painted this miniature of Christ Leaving the Praetorium sometime in the early 15th century. It’s painted with pigments and ink on vellum, as part of a lavishly decorated book. You’ll notice how the painting has an Italianate architectural backdrop, though it's populated with figures in contemporary northern European dress. That juxtaposition can tell us a lot about the tastes of wealthy patrons at the time, who prized both religious devotion and up-to-date fashion. It’s also interesting to note the depiction of Christ. There are two Christs here: one naked, and one clothed. By showing him twice, do the Limbourg brothers intend to convey his dual nature as both human and divine? For art historians, the study of such details, along with close attention to changing social and religious trends, offers invaluable insight into the meanings of the image.