Christ Bearing the Cross (Front)The Annunciation (Back)
- Artist: Pieter Aertsen
- Date: c. 1530
- Medium: Frame of carved wood, marble.
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the Christ Bearing the Cross (Front)The Annunciation (Back) by Pieter Aertsen. The panel is a double-sided masterpiece, each side a quiet dialogue. On the back, you see the angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the future Savior—a tender moment of divine disclosure. Flip it over, and the front presents a different drama: Jesus, weary and stumbling on his way to the Crucifixion, reaches for Saint Veronica’s veil to wipe the blood and sweat from his brow.
The artist, active in both Amsterdam and Antwerp around 1530, crafted this as part of a larger series, capturing key scenes of Christ’s earthly journey. What’s striking here is the frame that surrounds the work. It wasn’t original to the panel; it was matched by Count Antoine Seilern fifty years ago. The 17th‑century frame is carved from wood and marble, its luminous precious stones—including amethyst columns—mirroring the purple of Christ’s robe and adding a subtle, almost symbolic, harmony to the composition.
The combination of the biblical narrative, the artist’s deft handling of light and detail, and the historic frame makes this piece a compelling conversation piece. Each side invites you to pause, reflect, and witness the layers of devotion and artistry that Aertsen wove into this unique double‑sided panel.
See it in person
Christ Bearing the Cross (Front)The Annunciation (Back) hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
