Dear Tom,
This is an interesting variation of a very familiar image to art
historians. Christ standing in his sacophagus and surrounded by
instruments of his passion is known as the Arma Christi - it is found in
many different contexts and there are numerous variations - depending on
the period it originated in...variations of this theme are also known as
the Man of Sorrows with the instruments.
In G.Schiller's Vol.2 "Iconography of Christian Art" illust.807, you will
find a similar image to the one you're describing....at least if my
interpretation of your description is correct.
Christ in his sarcophagus and surrounded by the instruments is depicted
above an altar. In front of the alter Pope Gregory performs the mass. This
is a
painting attributed to Master of the Altar of St.Augustine dated to
c.1490. You don't mention the date of the miniature, but it sounds like it
might be from the same period...and perhaps it is also related to the
legend of the mass of St.Gregory?
This was a popular theme in the 15th century. If I understand it
correctly, the worshipper of this "mass of Gregory" was assured a
shortened stay in Purgatory?
Harriet Sonne
University of Toronto/
University of Copenhagen.
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