Crucifix

Abstract

This wooden crucifix in Sant'Andrea in Pistoia can be attributed on the basis of style to Giovanni Pisano and dated to c. 1300, because of its affinity to Giovanni's marble Crucifixion on his pulpit in the same church as well as to other wooden sculptures by Giovanni. Giovanni emphasizes Christ's suffering by showing him hanging low on the cross, his body twisting abruptly in space, his ribs protruding over a hollow abdomen. The face is suffering but noble, relatively calm, with a leonine mane of hair rising over a high forehead. When the work was restored in 1969-70, heavy layers of repaint were removed, revealing parts of the original polychromy but also patches of bare wood. The cross is not original. This wooden crucifix, less than life-size, was probably made to be carried in processions, as can be documented for other similar works from the period. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.