Three Holy Women at the Holy
Sepulcher (early 10th century) Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) ■ This ivory plaque
probably once served as part of a decorative cover for a liturgical manuscript.
Depicted is the visit of the Three Marys to the Holy Sepulcher, the burial
place of Christ, shown here as a cylindrical structure. This episode represents
the attempt to convey the divinity of the risen Christ in visual terms. The
stylistic vitality of this composition is exemplified in the deeply undercut,
rhythmic carving of the trees and soldiers. The visual force of this work and
its sculptural immediacy are characteristic of Milanese ivory carving of the
tenth century ■