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Christ Bearing the Cross, by Nicolaos Tzafouris
Crete, second half of the 15th century
Christ Bearing the Cross
Artist: Nicolaos Tzafouris (Greek, ca. 1455–1500/1501)
Medium: Oil and tempera on wood, gold ground
Dimensions: 27 1/4 x 21 1/2 in. (69.2 x 54.6 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929
Accession Number: 29.158.746
Inscription: Signed and inscribed: (lower center) NICOLAVS·ZAFVRI·PINXIT·; (top, in Greek) [Christ] being dragged to the cross; (beside Christ's head, in Greek) Jesus Christ; (right, on banner) SPQR
Nicholaos Tzafouris was one of the many icon painters working in the city of Candia (now Iraklion) in Crete at the time when Crete was under the control of Venice. The combination of Byzantine and Latin elements seen in many Cretan icons was well received locally and in Italy. The Greek inscription on this icon describes a Byzantine icon type in which soldiers drag Christ to Golgotha. The image here, however, is western in type, showing Christ carrying the cross to Golgotha. The soldier before Christ wears contemporary Italian armor, and those behind him wear Byzantine or Cretan armor.
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York