Altar Cross with Scenes from Christ's Life

Description One side of the carved wood altar cross shows the Annunciation, Baptism, Nativity, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Christ in the Synagogue (Luke 4:14-19), Healing of the Blind Man, and Entry into Jerusalem. The other one shows the Raising of Lazarus, Ascension, Crucifixion, Pentecost, Resurrection, Lamentation, and Dormition of the Virgin. The two leaf-shaped fields at the bottom contain images of Christ as the True Vine and the Virgin with Prophets (compare Walters 61.146). The cross was originally fitted with a wooden or metal base.

Provenance Joseph Brummer, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1924, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Transcription] On one of the narrow sides: Ἀ(ρχὴ) [Π(ίστεως)] Μ(υστηρίου) ΣΤ(αυρός): The Cross is the Beginning of the Mystery [of Faith]

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1924