crucifix

Crucifix

Artist	Michelangelo
Year	1492
Type	Polychrome wood
Dimensions	142 cm × 35 cm (56 in × 14 in)
Location	Santa Maria del Santo Spirito di Firenze

The ^[1]Crucifix is a polychrome wood sculpture thought to be by High Renaissance master Michelangelo, finished in 1492. It is located at the high altar of the Church of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito in Florence, Italy. The work is especially notable for the fact that this Christ is portrayed nude.

A nude Jesus on the cross is nonetheless keeping true to Scripture. His clothing being removed by Roman Soldiers was the fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." All of the Gospel writers suggest the nakedness while John supplies the details:

"Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, ‘They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.’ These things therefore the soldiers did."

Unique to this crucifix is the sign attached to the cross. It includes Jesus' accusation inscribed in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. The wording is "JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS." All of the evangelists record this inscription which varies slightly among them. Here the artist favored the rendering from John's Gospel.

There is evidence of Jesus' encounter with Pontius Pilate in this work. The very person who wrote His title or accusation "and put it on the cross." The "chief priests of the Jews" contested the wording. They told the Roman governor not to write Jesus was "the King of the Jews." Rather, Jesus said He was "the King of the Jews." Pilate refused to change the wording on the sign.

"What I have written I have written," he told them.

Also present is the spear wound inflicted into Jesus’ side by a Roman soldier. The fulfillment of another scripture which saith, "They shall look on him whom they pierced." His blood is seen here dripping from the wound. A wound inflicted for our transgressions soon after Jesus declared "It is finished,” bowed his head and gave up the ghost.

If this crucifix was by High Renaissance master, Michelangelo, his portrayal of a nude Jesus, along with the accuracy of other details is consistent with the biblical record. A piece reminiscent in the words of Jesus when He said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

"The cross is the judgment of the world." - C. I. Scofield

references

External links

• Media related to Michelangelo's crucifix in Florence at Wikimedia Commons

v • d • e Michelangelo Sculptures Head of a faun (c. 1488) • Madonna of the stairs (c. 1491) • Battle of the Centaurs (c. 1492) • Crucifix (1492) • The Ark of St Dominic: St Petronius (1494–95), St Proclus (1494–95) and Angel (1494–95) • Sleeping Cupid (1496) • Standing Cupid • Bacchus (1496–97) • Pietà (1499–1500) • David (1501-04) • Madonna of Bruges (1501–04) • St. Paul (1503–04) • St. Peter (1503–04) • Pius (1503–04) • Taddei Tondo (c. 1503) • Pitti Tondo (c. 1503) • St. Matthew (c. 1505) • Tomb of Pope Julius II (1503) • Moses (c. 1513–15) • Rebellious Slave (1513–16) • Dying Slave (1513–16) • Medici Chapel (1520–34) • The Genius of Victory (c. 1532–34) • Rachel (1545) • Leah (1545) • Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici • Tomb of Lorenzo de' Medici • Virgin and Child • Apollo (David) (c. 1530) • Crouching Boy (c. 1530-34) • Cristo della Minerva (Christ Carrying the Cross) (1519–20) • Brutus (1540) • Palestrina Pietà (1550) • Florentine Pietà (c. 1550) • Rondanini Pietà (1552–64) Paintings Panel paintings The Torment of Saint Anthony (c. 1487-88) • Manchester Madonna (c. 1497) • Doni Tondo (c. 1503–06) • The Entombment (c. 1505) Lost paintings Battle of Cascina (1504) • Leda and the Swan (1530) Sistine Chapel frescoes Ceiling (1508–12) (including The Creation of Adam, 1511) • The Last Judgment (1534–41) Pauline Chapel frescoes The Martyrdom of St Peter (1542–50) • The Conversion of Saul (1542–50) Architecture Florence Medici Chapel (1520–34) and Laurentian Library (1523–59) in the Basilica of San Lorenzo Rome Piazza del Campidoglio (1538) • Palazzo Farnese (1546) • St. Peter's Basilica (1546–1564) • San Giovanni dei Fiorentini (1559–60) • Porta Pia (1561–65) • Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (1561–) • Works on paper Epifania (1550–53) List of works by Michelangelo • Casa Buonarroti • Wikimedia Commons • Wikiquote

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