The Umbrian Diptych
This Umbrian diptych, dated to 1255-1260, is another fascinating mixture of the Byzantine and the Italian [1]. In its basic elements, it resembles the Kastoria icon. There are two images: one of the Man of Sorrows and one of the Virgin and Child. In the latter, the Virgin Mary holds the infant Jesus in her left hand, and both are surrounded by halos punched into the gold leaf. In the Man of Sorrows image, Christ’s haloed head is resting on his right shoulder, and the Cross is stationed behind him. The National Gallery in London, where the diptych is now located, believes this to be one of the first Italian examples of the joining of the Man of Sorrows and the Virgin Hodegetria in painting [2].
It is apparent from the first glance, however, that this is an Italian work of art. The facial contours are similar to those of the Harvard Art Museums’ The Virgin and Child from Pisa and the greenish skin color reminds one of the Virgin in the Harvard Art Museums’ The Adoration of the Shepherds from Siena [3, 4]. Additionally, the inscription above the Cross is in Latin instead of Greek, and unlike the Kastoria icon, Christ’s wounds are displayed on his crossed hands. Finally, as in the previous Italian Man of Sorrows image, there is a prominent display of gold leaf, and the panels are made of poplar [5].
Regarding use, The National Gallery claims that it was “an object for private devotion” [6]. Evidently, then, its medieval owner(s) would have been quite wealthy as well as pious. Each panel is only about 32 cm x 23 cm, so folded up the diptych would have been very portable.
1. “Umbrian Diptych,” The National Gallery, accessed December 8, 2016, https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/master-of-the-borgo-crucifix-master-of-the-franciscan-crucifixes-umbrian-diptych.
2. “Umbrian Diptych.”
3. “The Virgin and Child,” Harvard Art Museum, accessed December 8, 2016, http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/231795?position=11.
4. “The Adoration of the Shepherds,” Harvard Art Museums, accessed December 8, 2016. http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/232007?position=7.
5. “Umbrian Diptych.”
6. “Umbrian Diptych.”