Sculpture, Cristo Crocifisso in legno policromo – Scuola napoletana, XVIII secolo - 34 cm - Wood

Christ on the Cross in polychrome wood – Neapolitan School, 18th century

Splendid and intense polychrome wooden sculpture depicting Christ on the Cross, a work from the Neapolitan school of the 18th century, characterized by extraordinary expressive force and an antique surface of great charm.

Christ is carved entirely in wood with notable plastic sensitivity. The body is slender, elegantly molded, with an anatomically deliberately essential yet highly effective rendering. The head tilted, the suffering face, the beard and hair finely carved render an image of strong emotional intensity, typical of the best devotional sculptural tradition of southern Italy.

Particularly beautiful is the workmanship of the loincloth, moved by deep and articulated folds, capable of creating an elegant contrast with the linearity of the body.

The work still retains wide traces of the original polychromy, with flesh tones, earth-toned hues, pigment residues and signs of the Passion still clearly legible. The surface, marked by time and by natural secular wear, presents an authentic and unrepeatable patina, today especially appreciated in collecting because it can tell the long history of the object without erasing its identity.

The original holes for the nails at the hands and feet are still visible, elements that attest to the ancient placement of the figure on a cross that is no longer present. Precisely the absence of the cross now allows reading Christ as a truly autonomous sculpture, fully appreciating the quality of the carving, the silhouette, and the strong dramatic presence.

Despite its substantial size, the weight of only 160 grams makes the work surprisingly light, a feature compatible with the use of a light wooden essence intended for suspended religious sculptures or mounted on crosses.

Dimensions: about 34 × 25.5 × 7 cm
Weight: about 160 g
Material: carved and polychrome wood
Era: 18th century
Scope: Neapolitan school
Subject: Christ on the Cross

The state of conservation is consistent with the period: there are signs of wear, loss of polychromy, abrasions and small gaps, all clearly visible in the photographs. These very characteristics contribute to the charm of the work and underscore its authenticity and antiquity.

It is a piece of strong decorative impact, capable of becoming the focal point of a space. It can be magnificently highlighted on a neutral wall, on dark paneling, on a textured background, or simply presented on a minimal stand in iron or antique wood. In a contemporary interior it creates a sophisticated and almost museum-like contrast; in a classical, baroque, or eclectic setting it dialogues perfectly with antique furniture, gilded frames, marbles, velvets, and natural surfaces.

Particularly suitable for a Wunderkammer, a collection of sacred art, an important drawing-room, a professional study, an impressive entryway, or an environment with a contemporary antique taste.

An ancient, authentic piece with great character, in which time has not erased beauty, but made it even more intense.

The photographs constitute an integral part of the description and document accurately every detail of the work.

The packaging will be prepared with extreme care. Ankerior specializes in art logistics, with specialized training at Palazzo Spinelli in Florence in the packing, handling, transport, and logistics of works of art and cultural heritage. The work will therefore be protected with materials and procedures appropriate to its antiquity and delicacy.