Saint Veronica with the Sudarium

Netherlandish 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

The image portrays an upper body of a woman within a circular frame. She is holding a white cloth with the face of a man printed on it. The woman has a halo, outlined facial features, wavy shoulder-length hair under a white veil, and wears a blue garment with a red and white shawl. The face on the cloth is of a bearded man with long dark hair, a solemn expression, and marks on the forehead. The circular image is surrounded by vibrant floral designs, including red and purple flowers with green stems and leaves against a reddish background. The outer circle has a golden-yellow hue, and the edges are framed in black on aged, off-white paper.