On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Fragment of a Figural Sculpture
Not on view
On this unusual stone fragment, Christ appears at the apex of a triangular recess, with his halo breaking through the space. He is flanked by two much smaller figures, one bearded and one clean-shaven. Their small scale, lack of halos, and bowing posture indicate that they are secular figures, perhaps donors. Christ directly blesses them by placing his hands on their heads. Direct contact between secular figures and Christ is uncommon in bas-relief sculpture. Could this be Marzpan Mamikonian, named as one of the sponsors of the monastery of Bardzrak‘ash, shown with his son Sargis?