The Man of Sorrows [obverse]

Sebastian Dadler

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicted on the medallion shows a figure with a crown of thorns on his head. The figure is bare-chested with visible muscles, wounds, and a sacrificial posture. The material appears to be metallic with a bronze-like color. The sculpture suggests a three-dimensional relief with pronounced physical features against the background. The words "VULNERA CHRISTI" are embossed around the perimeter, referring to the wounds of Christ. The contrast between raised and recessed areas gives a sense of depth, enhancing the subject's realism and presence.