|« Previous Page||Next Page »| Belles Heures of Jean de France,
duc de Berry, 1405–1408/9. Herman, Paul, and Jean de Limbourg
(Franco-Netherlandish, active in France by 1399–1416). French;
Made in Paris. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum; 9 3/8 x 6
5/8 in. (23.8 x 16.8 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York, The Cloisters Collection, 1954 (54.1.1). Hours of the
Passion Pilate Offers to Release Christ, Folio 136r This
exciting scene takes place in a complex architectural space.
Pilate addresses the crowd from an elaborate balcony, and the
two thieves who will be crucified can be seen behind bars in a
tower dungeon. According to custom, the Roman governor released
one prisoner at Passover; the crowd asked him to free Barabbas
rather than Christ. Listen to a sample from the exhibition Audio
Guide: Audio Guide Transcript Tom Campbell: At this image of
Pilate offering to release Christ, we’re taking a closer look at
some of the colors the Limbourg brothers used, with conservator
Margaret Lawson. Margare