Large Northern European Corpus Christi c.1520

An emotionally imbued large Northern European Corpus Christi (Christ on the Cross) c.1520.

This now, sun-bleached figure of Christ wears a real twisted rope as his crown of thorns, which would have once been embellished with real thorns. His face is animated with eyes sorrowfully looking upwards, face and eye sockets are drawn. A short stylised beard, which would have been very fashionable and easily recognisable to the 16th Century congregation, as would the shoulder length hair depicted patterned with deeply grooved lines. The body of the figure of Christ is naively carved, his torso emaciated with his ribs and scapula clearly defined. To the right of his torso you can make out residual red polychrome - the dripping blood of a deep wound made by the Roman Soldier’s spear. You can also still see remainders of the original polychrome on his torso and facial features.

Christ wears a short roped perizoma, or loincloth. It is graphically carved with rhythmic parallel tight folding, to the left the roped section of cloth appears to be captured by the winds like a sail as it billows into animation.

The magnificent sculpture would have originally had arms, and attached by nails (as you can see the nail holes in the remaining feet and the post holes at his shoulders) to a Crucifix in a provincial Church.

His appearance is thoughtful, sorrowful, yet peaceful and contemplating. A glorious piece perfect for your own place of private worship, or to be enjoyed simply as a work of art.