Renaissance Crucifix - Polychrome wood - 17th century

This beautiful 17th-century Corpus Christi is a stunning example of Flemish craftsmanship from the late Renaissance.

The statue was skillfully carved, possibly from limewood or boxwood, and displays a detailed anatomical portrayal of Christ’s tormented body, characteristic of the Flemish school of this period. Originally the sculpture was polychromed to create a lifelike effect, but over the centuries most layers of paint have faded, allowing the natural, warm patina of the wood to dominate.

The sculpture presents Christ in a serene yet dramatic pose, with his head bowed and eyes closed. The face is deeply marked by sorrow, and the body bears the scars of the Passion, such as the wound on the right side of the torso where the spear of fate pierced. The loincloth (perizonium) is tied at the side and the folds are finely worked. Taken together, it is a powerful and moving example of early modern devotional art, designed to move the viewer to empathy and prayer.