During the 15th century Christians were constantly reminded of the Passion and death of Christ. Calvary, the Crucifixion, Ecce Homo, the Man of Sorrows, the Flagellation - all these were frequent themes, and became ritual images to be fervently worshipped through several centuries. The Christ in St. Nizier at Troyes presents a tortured face. Treated schematically in large planes, the forehead crushed by the crown of thorns, this is no longer the visage of a willing and lucid victim, but of a man tormented, scourged and beaten, whose bruised face is set in an expression of overwhelming pain.
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