Christ as Salvator Mundi

This striking representation of Christ can be interpreted as the merging of the Salvator Mundi (the Saviour of the World) and the Vera Effigies. The frontal portrayal of Christ was established as early as the 13th century through a description contained in the so-called Letter of Lentulus and became standard in 15th century art. The composition derives from Quentin Massijs' (1466-1530) Salvator Mundi in the Royal Museum, Antwerp (inv.no. 241).