Angel Holding the Instruments of the Passion

The Angel of Poissy
Poissy Collegiate
Ile de France, post-1297
Stone, traces of polychrome
H. 1.03 m ; W. 0.27 m ; L. 0.27 m
Cl. 18762

This angel, with a large, round face and wavy hair held back by a ribbon, once held in its veiled right hand the crown of thorns, which has left the trace of a tear on the bust; he held aloft in his left hand, also veiled, the nails of the Passion, which left a hole in the drapery as a final legacy. Angels carrying instruments of the Passion are found in the iconography of the Last Judgement from the earliest days of gothic sculpture. These angels (3 of which are displayed at the Museum) were part of the decoration of the Dominican priory at the church of Saint-Louis de Poissy, important seat of King Philippe le Bel. The church was erected to celebrate the birthplace of his grandfather, Louis IX, canonised in 1297. This royal order called on the top Parisian artists of the time.