Christ Enthroned with Angels

In the centre of this narrow panel, bordered by a plain frame, is Christ enthroned in a mandorla created by two circles overlapping in the shape of an eight. In his right hand he is holding a globe, in his left a closed book propped on his knee. The mandorla is supported by four angels in all, two upside down in relation to the other two. Markedly emphasized body parts, standing out against the shadowy ground, convey a sense of vivid presence. The eye is held by a variety of dynamic or decorative details which give a certain shimmer to the surface and underline the intensity of the visionary content. In the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence there is a similar ivory relief showing scenes from the childhood of Jesus, and its figural style is no less rich in movement. The two reliefs probably belonged together, as panels on a chest. There is a strong stylistic affinity with book illumination in Arras and Saint-Omer at the same period as well as with other works in ivory such as the two relief figures in an Annunciation in the Musée de l’Hôtel Sandelin in Saint-Omer, in which the influence of English art might also be noted.