Crown of Saint Louis, Paris 13th century, Louvre, Paris (loan)
Detail of the Crown of Saint Louis, Paris 13th century, Louvre, Paris (loan)
The Book of Hours of Guy de Laval, Western France (Laval/Bretagne?), around 1427, 82v Arma Christi
Vera Icon, house altar from Bruges or Southern Germany, late 15th century
2005 Arma Christi
5 August – 16 October 2005
Arma Christi – Signs of Suffering and Salvation
Cabinet Exhibition on the occasion of World Youth Day
The exhibition »Arma Christi« at Kolumba, the Archbishopric of Cologne’s art museum, follows the motto of World Youth Day 2005: «We have come to worship Him«. In the centre of the exhibition is the crown of Saint Louis, King of France, which was created in the 13th century as a reliquary for a thorn which came from the authentic Crown of Thorns. The crown has travelled from Paris to Cologne as a precious loan from the Louvre for the occasion of World Youth Day. Together with two Gothic reliquary crosses from the museum collection, it forms part of a historic ensemble reunited for the first time in sixty years. – “Arma” (weapons) is the term used for the instruments of the passion of Christ, as described by the Evangelists, which caused the death of the humanised Son of God through which was wrought the salvation of humanity. The Cross and the Crown of Thorns, particles of which are preserved within the Gothic reliquary, are at the centre of this worship, which cites (among others) the lance, column, whip, nails, hammer, lyre as well as the towel of Saint Veronica. The exhibition displays the diversity and transformation of these images which make palpable the central concept of the Christian faith. (us)
Arma Christi – Signs of Suffering and Salvation
Cabinet Exhibition on the occasion of World Youth Day
The exhibition »Arma Christi« at Kolumba, the Archbishopric of Cologne’s art museum, follows the motto of World Youth Day 2005: «We have come to worship Him«. In the centre of the exhibition is the crown of Saint Louis, King of France, which was created in the 13th century as a reliquary for a thorn which came from the authentic Crown of Thorns. The crown has travelled from Paris to Cologne as a precious loan from the Louvre for the occasion of World Youth Day. Together with two Gothic reliquary crosses from the museum collection, it forms part of a historic ensemble reunited for the first time in sixty years. – “Arma” (weapons) is the term used for the instruments of the passion of Christ, as described by the Evangelists, which caused the death of the humanised Son of God through which was wrought the salvation of humanity. The Cross and the Crown of Thorns, particles of which are preserved within the Gothic reliquary, are at the centre of this worship, which cites (among others) the lance, column, whip, nails, hammer, lyre as well as the towel of Saint Veronica. The exhibition displays the diversity and transformation of these images which make palpable the central concept of the Christian faith. (us)