European and American Art

FRANCESCO TRAINI
Italian, Pisa, active 1321 - 1363
Christ Blessing
tempera and gold on wood panel, about 1335
The William A. Whitaker Foundation Art Fund, 61.12.1

This painting was originally part of a polyptych, a large, multi-panel altarpiece. It probably filled the gable above the central panel, in a place comparable to the crucifixion scene in the little three-panel painting on the wall behind you.

Christ raises his right hand in blessing. The book in his other hand is inscribed in Latin with the words: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Whoever believes in me ." However, it is not certain that this was the original inscription on the book, because that part of the painting was damaged and restored in the past.

Conservation of this painting was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum Services, an agency of the Federal Government.