Corpus Christi (Primary Title)
Body of Christ from a Cross (Former Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This copper portrayal of the crucified Christ, a smoothly rounded form broken only by deeply incised ribs, unites two popular crucifixion themes. The crown signifies the older emphasis on Christ triumphant, standing rigid, as a king, unmoved by death. The closed eyes illustrate the newer, Gothic notion of the suffering Christ (Christus patiens). The union of these two motifs represents the nature of Christ, simultaneously human and divine. This corpus, or sculpted body of Christ, would have hungon a larger cross.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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