Crucifix
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Authors
Unknown Florentine sculptor
Date
Type
image
Language
Keyword
Crucifix , Christ , Cross , Jesus
Alternative Title
Abstract
This painted wooden Crucifix was made between 1340-50 by an unknown Florentine artist by joining two blocks of wood lengthwise. As is typical of crucifixes of the trecento, Jesus hangs low on the cross, with his arms painfully stretched to the side in a 'Y'- shaped position. His suffering is shown with an agonized expression including contracted eyebrows, half-open eyes and a gaping mouth. A recent restoration carried out in 2016 removed bronze coloured overpaint to recover some of the original modelling used for Jesus' flesh tones, as well as the carved loincloth extending around the body of Christ that was painted white with a blue lining and gilded with decorative patterns, now discoloured. A tactile wound is depicted on Christ's right side and was built up in stucco, then painted with dark lacquer and bright red. Traces of blood can also be seen on Christ's forehead (suggesting he was wearing a crown of thorns), as well as his feet and hands. Surely these bloody areas have been obscured by centuries of wear and previous interventions. Today, the Crucifix is displayed at the Museo degli Innocenti in Florence. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Description
Museo degli Innocenti, Florence
Citation
Stefano Filipponi, Eleonora Mazzocchi, Ludovica Sebregondi, The Museo degli Innocenti (Florence: La Mandragora s.r.l., 2016), 104-105.