Crucifix

Unknown

late 16th–early 17th century · Corpus: ivory; cross: ebony and ivory · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The subtle modeling of Christ's elongated limbs and the virtuoso undercutting of his hair and crown of thorns point to the hand of an accomplished sculptor. The elaborate terminal ornaments on the ends of the arms of the cross appear on a number of ivory crucifixions from Italy. The name of the site where the Crucifixion took place, Golgotha or Calvary, means "place of the skull"; sculptures depicting the ground below the cross often show a skull, here lost.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th–early 17th century

Medium

Corpus: ivory; cross: ebony and ivory

Culture

probably Italian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Hugh J. Grant, in memory of her husband, Hugh J. Grant, 1982