Doubting Thomas (Ms. 101, fol. 89, from the Illustrated Vita Christi, with devotional supplements)

Unknown English painter · about 1190–1200
Getty Center, Los Angeles

Another English painting of about 1190–1200 that was later bound into the East Anglian life of Christ. The figures stand on a gold ground with strong black outlines; the blue is thick and has cracked in places.

Jesus, holding a tall cross-staff, opens his robe and lets Thomas reach towards his side. The other disciples crowd behind, one throwing up his arm, and a small figure lies at Jesus’ feet.

From the text

“Reach out your hand and put it into My side” (John 20:27)

Thomas is with the disciples (John 20:26)

The artist’s own

Jesus with a cross-staff

A small figure at his feet

Details

Thomas

He reaches towards Jesus.

Jesus

He holds a cross-staff.

The side

Thomas’s hand at Jesus’ side.

Disciples

They crowd behind.

Unknown illuminator, English (perhaps York). The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles (Ms. 101 (2008.3), fol. 89) · Tempera colors and gold leaf, on parchment · Images provided here are believed to be in the public domain and are available under CC0 through Getty’s Open Content Program. (Getty record: "No Copyright", http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

The verses

John 20:24–29Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”