Bust of Christ
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Authors
Unknown artist
Date
Type
image
Language
Keyword
Bust , Christ , Jesus
Alternative Title
Abstract
This painted terracotta bust dates from the early sixteenth century. It loosely resembles an image type known as Christ the Redeemer that was popularized by Verrocchio and his workshop in the late quattrocento. The prototype design was based on descriptions of Christ's features, believed to have been written by an eyewitness. As is typical of other busts, Christ has curling locks of hair, a parted beard, and a gentle smile. However, unlike other busts of Jesus that glance down at the viewer, suggesting they were placed in elevated positions, this bust looks up to the left, suggesting it was positioned at the viewer's height. Also atypical is the blood on Christ's forehead (a sign of the Passion) which might indicate that the sculpture was originally fitted with a crown of thorns or that the blood is a later addition. Today, the sculpture is displayed in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Description
Il Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence
Citation
Andrew Butterfield, The Sculptures of Andrea del Verrocchio (New Haven: Yale UP, 1997), 77.