17th Century, Crucifix

17th Century
Boxwood Crucifix, 42 cm high

The crucified Christ sculpture examined here represents a fine example of 17th century boxwood cabinetry. The figure of Christ, now dead on the cross, is part of a precious artistic choreography with the structure of the cross and its base, both decorated with tortoiseshell mirrors, ivory nets to emphasize the structure of the cross and elements in blackened and carved wood. to highlight the architectural structure of the base. Christ's departure is evident from the bowed head, hands open in surrender, and feet now hanging limply. The lower torso, the abdomen, tense and contracted, seems to refer to the last exhaled breath, as well as the thong, a thin piece of fabric, is moved by an invisible breeze that ripples the fabric with those typical tangled draperies and folds of baroque art, made up of solids and voids.