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The representation of Christ's head in this painting is based on the 'vera icon', the true face of Christ. According to the legend, this likeness appeared in a miraculous way on St Veronica's veil after she had used it to wipe the blood and sweat from the Lord on the Road to Calvary. The vera icon was a favourite subject of paintings and graphic works in the late Middle Ages.
The type of image derives from Early Netherlandish painting (Jan van Eyck and Dieric Bouts the Elder).
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