Tuscan school of the 14th century. "Christ crucified". Carved... Lot 38

Tuscan school of the 14th century. "Christ crucified". Carved wood. It presents damages caused by the passage of time. Measurements: 165 x 135 x 35 cm. Round sculpture carved in wood representing the figure of Christ crucified. It is a devotional image that tries to awaken the passion and faith of the spectator. The back of the piece has an indentation, which suggests that it is likely that the piece was part of the ornamental decoration of an architectural ensemble. The carving is notable for the simplicity of the forms, the fluid technique of straight lines and the somewhat naïve conception of the face, making it a symbol over and above the superfluous details. This idealisation can also be seen in the anatomical treatment, whose measurements are distorted, as can be seen in the arms. The crucifixion of Jesus has been depicted in religious art since the 4th century. It is one of the most recurrent themes in Christian art and the one with the most evident iconography. Although Christ is sometimes depicted clothed, his body is usually depicted naked, although with his genitals covered with a purity cloth (perizonium); full nudes are very rare, but prominent (Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Cellini). The conventions of depicting the different attitudes of the crucified Christ are designated by the Latin expressions Christus triumphans ("triumphant" - not to be confused with the Maiestas Domini or the Pantocrator), Christus patiens ("resigned" - not to be confused with the Christ of patience) and Christus dolens ("suffering" - not to be confused with the Vir dolorum). The triumphans is represented alive, with his eyes open and his body erect; the patiens is represented dead, with his will totally emptied (kenosis), his head bowed, his face with a serene expression, his eyes closed and his body arched, showing the five wounds; the dolens is represented in a similar way to the patiens, but with a gesture of pain, particularly in his mouth (curved).