Museum Corpus Christi

Museum Corpus Christi
Spain/Catalonia or Asturias
Around 1250
Corpus hardwood, arms softwood
Remains of the original polychrome paintwork
Height 109.5 cm, width 98 cm

The crucified figure with attached arms was made around 1250 in Spain, probably in Catalonia, and measures 109.5 x 98 cm. Jesus hangs from the cross in a slight S-curve; his head is tilted to one side and his eyes are closed. The emaciated body reveals the rib cage under a thin layer of skin and the
dramatic, V-shaped indentation in his abdomen. The low-hanging perizonium is knotted at the side and hangs down to his knees. His feet are crossed in the three-nail type, with the stylized bent right foot almost expressing a moment of rigor mortis, which underscores Jesus’ previous tortures. Such Corpus Christi types were common in medieval Spain. While majestically upright, triumphant depictions of the crucifixion were popular, after 1200 a new convention of depicting a resigned, introspective, dramatic Christ, whose humanity and suffering were emphasized. The posture of the bowed head, the upward-angled arms, the V-shaped abdomen with strongly visible ribs above it, the V-shaped abdomen with strongly visible ribs above it, the emphasized pelvic area, the long loincloth with a distinctive knot at the hip, and the stylized crossed feet are clear characteristics of Spanish crucifixion depictions from Catalonia in the mid-13th century. The latter feature of the feet lying on top of each other, with the right foot an unnaturally rigid position above the left, seems to be an impressive characteristic of this type. The closest comparable example is the Catalan crucifix from the church of Santa Maria dels Turers in Banyoles in northeastern Spain (Art Institute Chicago, 1926.120). This Christ was suspended between the choir and nave, where the congregation gathered; he was thus a focal point for the faithful who witnessed this New Testament event.