Christ Carrying the Cross and the Crucifixion
As many Christians in the Middle Ages did not know how to read, these images tell them a religious story with no text.
Semi-flat bas relief in hard Barutel limestone. 26 x 59 cm, thickness: 26 cm.
Archeological museum ©Ville de Nîmes
Christ, wearing a long tunic, carries the cross on his left shoulder.
Two rows of soldiers are dressed and armed like soldiers from the Middle Ages. They are wearing mail armor and a conic helmet with a neckguard. With the exception of the first soldier, who is holding a lance with a flag, they all have a sword hanging from their belts. There are several small round shields, two shaped like a heraldic shield, one of which features a coat of arms.
An inscription, IHS.NAZERE.REXIUS.DEOR (Jhésus, Nazarenus, rex Judeorum: Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews) reminds us of the inscription on the cross in the Gospel according to John (XIX,19).
1. The sun
2. and the moon.
A thuribuler angel (carrying a thurible or incense burner).
1. Near the soldiers, the Virgin Mary is holding a small book (a bible or prayer book). The sculpted ridges behind her seem to represent folds in Christ’s tunic.
2. The tunic, the crown, and the lance held by the first soldier are the three instruments of Christ’s Passion.
Saint John is pointing to the crown of thorns above the Virgin Mary.
Three nails, symbols of Christ’s crucifixion.
A circular object at the end of a vertical stick could be an allusion to the sponge used to refresh Christ on the cross.
