Crucifix
- Object belonging
- One's own
- Category
- Wood sculpture
- City
- Rome
- Location
- Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia
- Specific location
- Store
- Inventory
- PV 01658
- Material and technique
- Sculpted and carved wood, paint
- Author
- Central Italian School
- Dating
- 17th century
- Dimensions
- 133.2 x 84 x 24.5 cm.
- Origin
- Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo (1920)
- Image copyright
- SSPSAE e per il Polo Museale della città di Roma
Short description
Nothing is known of the history of this work, which was given to Palazzo Venezia in 1920 by the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo. It depicts Christus patiens on the cross: his eyes are closed and his head, on top of which sits a crown made of twisted rope, leans on his right shoulder; his legs are slightly bent toward the left and his torso is emaciated, with the ribs clearly visible. The rather restrained size indicates it was probably intended for processional use. It is in very poor condition: various parts are broken and it has lost the original polychromy, but that which remains indicates it was based on the contrast between the blue of the short loinclth (a piece of cloth wound around a rope tied at the waist and folded over along the left hand side, leaving the right leg exposed) and the gold of the body, as if to simulate a metal object. It is difficult to identify the geographical origin of the work, but it can be dated to central Italy in the mid-17th century. The cross, however, seems to be a modern restoration.
Grazia Maria Fachechi
Bibliography
Unpublished