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
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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 — Christ
- Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
- Object Number
- 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.