“Head of Christ” by Petrus Christus, created in 1445, is a Northern Renaissance oil painting on canvas, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The artwork, measuring 14.9 x 10.8 centimeters, falls within the religious painting genre.
The artwork depicts the visage of Christ, rendered with meticulous attention to detail characteristic of the Northern Renaissance. The solemn expression of Christ, crowned with thorns, is set against a dark background, accentuated by delicate golden flourish designs. The depiction conveys both serenity and suffering, encapsulating a profound spiritual presence. The painting is modest in scale, yet profound in its emotional and devotional impact, reflecting Petrus Christus’s mastery in capturing human expression and divine symbolism.
