Vierge Glorieuse and Crucifixion diptych

The birth and death of the Saviour is one of the most common pairings of images on medieval ivory diptychs and is offered to the viewer as a subject of meditation.
In this piece the sweet tenderness of the Virgin and Child contrasts with the anguish of the Crucifixion.

Workshop of Visages Characterises, Ivory diptych with the Virgin and Child with Angels and The Crucifixion, 15th century, Carved ivory and ebony © The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London.