Crucifix
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Authors
Giovanni Pisano, workshop of
Date
Type
image
Language
Keyword
Crucifix , Christ , Cross , Jesus
Alternative Title
Abstract
This under-lifesized painted wood crucifix has been attributed on the basis of style to Giovanni Pisano or his workshop, c. 1300-20. As is typical of crucifixes of the period, Jesus hangs low on the cross, his arms painfully stretched, and his ribs protruding over a concave abdomen. The abrupt twist of the body gives the work an almost jagged look, that adds to the pathos. The face is, like the body, also suffering, but made noble, with a mane of leonine hair rising over a high forehead. It was originally carried in procession, including in during the lay devotional movement of the Bianchi in 1399, when many crucifixes were believed to have performed miracles. Therefore this crucifix is known as a Bianchi crucifix. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Description
Cathedral, Prato
Citation
Enzo Carli, La scultura lignea italiana (Milan: Electa, 1960), 42; Margrit Lisner, Holzkruzifixe in Florenz und in der Toskana (Munich: Bruckmann, 1970), 20; Max Seidel, La scultura lignea di Giovanni Pisano (Florence: EDAM, 1971), 17.