Espada Family, Cristo, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, 40 x 20 1⁄4 x 15 1⁄2 in. (101.6 x 51.5 x 39.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.42
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Cristo
- Artist
- Attributed to Espada Family
- Date
- late 18th-early 19th century
- Location
- Dimensions
- 40 x 20 1⁄4 x 15 1⁄2 in. (101.6 x 51.5 x 39.4 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Teodoro Vidal Collection
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- carved and painted wood
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Religion — New Testament — Christ
- Object Number
- 1996.91.42
Artwork Description
In a museum installation, behind glass, these religious figures and santos are not as physically accessible as they were for worshipers in their churches or home altars. The sights, sounds, and smells surrounding this devotional image of Christ in its original context are now left to the imagination. A closer look at this figure provides a glimpse into its ritual function: rings of melted wax are visible on the base from the candles that were lit in prayer.
