Crucifix
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Authors
Giovanni Teutonico
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Keyword
Christ , Crucifixion , Passion
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Abstract
This crucifix in Santi Faustino e Giovita in Viterbo can be attributed on the basis of style to a Northern artist active in central Italy in this period known as Giovanni Teutonico. It is one of two very similar crucifixes in the same church, both exhibiting the same lean musculature, x-shaped loincloth, corkscrew curls, abundant three-dimensional blood pouring from the wounds, and protruding veins (probably produced by laying blue cords in the gesso that was applied over the wooden substrate, before the paint was added to the surface to create the illusion of flesh). The only difference is that this crucifix, like almost all crucifixes attributed to Giovanni Teutonico, is approximately life-sized, whereas the other crucifix in the same church is much smaller and therefore was probably made to be taken on procession. The smaller crucifix comes from the Church of San Giovanni Decollato in Viterbo, and perhaps this one does as well. This crucifix has been badly damaged by wood-boring insects: dotted with holes throughout, the hands and part of the toes have broken off. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Description
Santi Faustino e Giovita, Viterbo
Citation
Sara Cavatorti, Giovanni Teutonico: Scultura lignea tedesca nell'Italia del secondo quattrocento (Perugia: Aguaplano, 2016), p. 141, 223, cat. E. II. 14.