Crucifijo

Copied Unidentified, Crucifijo, 19th century, carved and painted wood, 22 1⁄4 x 5 7⁄8 x 4 1⁄4 in. (56.5 x 14.8 x 10.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.54
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Artwork Details

Title
Crucifijo
Artist
Unidentified
Date
19th century
Location
Dimensions
22 1⁄4 x 5 7⁄8 x 4 1⁄4 in. (56.5 x 14.8 x 10.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood
Classifications
Keywords
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
Object Number
1996.91.54
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.54

Artwork Description

Carvings of the crucified Christ were popular subjects of santeros, artists who created santos, carved wooden images of saints. In this figure, Christ’s limp body looks as if it is shifting, emphasizing the excruciating pain of having his hands and feet nailed to the cross. Such images of extreme suffering are related to the rites of the penitentes in New Mexico and to the tradition of carving saints’ images.