An artwork on Galleree from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About the artwork
The Meditation on the PassionVittore Carpaccio
Italian, Venice 1460/66?–1525/26 Venice
ca. 1490
Overall 27 3/4 x 34 1/8in. (70.5 x 86.7cm); painted surface 26 3/16 × 33 1/4 in. (66.5 × 84.5 cm)
Painting
Oil and tempera on wood
European Paintings
John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1911
In Vittore Carpaccio's "The Meditation on the Passion," we encounter a scene rich with emotion and contemplation. At its center rests a solitary figure of Christ, depicted in a moment of quiet reflection, his body draped in simple white cloth. The artist uses a serene color palette, evoking a sense of calm and stillness.
Flanking Christ are two elderly men, each embodying different aspects of wisdom and spiritual insight. Their expressions reveal deep thought, as they engage with the profound themes of suffering and redemption. One seems to ponder Christ's sacrifice, while the other appears to present a contrasting form of stoicism.
The landscape surrounding them is both lush and desolate, highlighting the juxtaposition between the beauty of creation and the gravity of the Passion. The ruins in the background symbolize the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, suggesting that even in moments of peace, the weight of existence looms large.
Carpaccio’s meticulous detail in the figures and the landscape invites viewers to pause and engage in their own meditative reflection. This artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of introspection, encouraging all who behold it to consider their own paths and the deeper meanings behind sacrifice and faith.
About the artist
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from The Met's Open Access dataset under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY, USA 10028
The best place to view The Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.