Vir dolorum (c.1500)

Botticelli, Sandro (c.1445-1510)

Vir dolorum (Christ Crowned with Thorns Blessing)
c.1500
Tempera on panel, 47.6 x 32.3 cm
Accademia CarraraBergamo

Arrived at the Carrara Academy by bequest of Giovanni Morelli, like the other two paintings by Sandro Botticelli exhibited on the same wall of the museum, this profound portrait of Christ depicts him suffering, while with his right hand he blesses the observer and with his left he points the deep wound on his side, pushing aside the edges of his dress. The golden flashes that illuminate the long brown hair and the precious red dress with cross decorations in gold thread, covered by an equally embroidered blue mantle with worked edge, almost make you forget the moment of suffering depicted. (ACB)