Crucifix

José Mondragón, Crucifix, 1971, carved wood with leather, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.257
José Mondragón, Crucifix, 1971, carved wood with leather, 30 5⁄16 x 16 1⁄2 x 3 1⁄2 in. (77.0 x 41.9 x 9.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.257

Artwork Details

Title
Crucifix
Artist
Date
1971
Location
Dimensions
30 5⁄16 x 16 1⁄2 x 3 1⁄2 in. (77.0 x 41.9 x 9.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved wood with leather
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
Object Number
1986.65.257
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.257

Artwork Description

José Mondragón created many images of the Crucifixion. The letters “INRI” on top of the cross translate as “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” In this piece, Mondragón carved the head, body, and legs from a single piece of wood, then added the arms separately. The figure’s calm expression and pose show the strength of Jesus’s faith, even at the end, and the small drops of blood on his face are the only clue that he is experiencing any pain.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Chet La More, Ku Kluxers, 1939, color lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library , 1967.72.149
Ku Kluxers
Artist
Date1939
color lithograph
Not on view
Chet La More, Old Dock, n.d., color lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.148
Old Dock
Artist
Daten.d.
color lithograph
Not on view
Chet La More, Construction, ca. 1935-1939, color woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Audrey McMahon, 1968.98.32
Construction
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1939
color woodcut on paper
Not on view

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Britain, from the United Nations Series
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Date1944
ink, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and gouache on paper
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Henry Speller, Train, ca. 1980, crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.198
Train
Artist
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crayon and pencil on paper
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Inez Nathaniel-Walker, Woman with Bowl of Flowers, 1974, felt-tipped pen and ink, ballpoint pen and ink, crayon, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.190
Woman with Bowl of Flowers
Artist
Date1974
felt-tipped pen and ink, ballpoint pen and ink, crayon, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Image Not Available
Messenger Boy
Artist
Dateca. 1933-1943
charcoal, crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view