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 51616 123 12 in. (77.041.99.0 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
Date
1971
Dimensions
30 51616 123 12 in. (77.041.99.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums Description
carved wood with leather
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
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.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Lois Nowicki, Yellow, Black and Silver, from the portfolio LIGATURE '68, 1968, screenprint on paper mounted on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Arthur Y. Schulson, 1970.264.7
Yellow, Black and Silver, from the portfolio LIGATURE 68
Date1968
screenprint on paper mounted on paper
Not on view

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Pamela Studstill, Quilt #86, 1989, cotton and fabric paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Barbara and Robert Paterson Hunter, Jr., 2010.40
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Date1989
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Lore Lindenfeld, Black/White Hanging, 1948, cotton double weave with leno, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, 1998.107A-B
Black/​White Hanging
Date1948
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Odd Fellows Third Degree Banner, ca. 1908, painted and embroidered satin with metallic fringe and tassles, cotton lining, and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.354
Odd Fellows Third Degree Banner
Dateca. 1908
painted and embroidered satin with metallic fringe and tassles, cotton lining, and metal
Not on view
Cornelia Breitenbach, Zwanbien, 1984, paint on cotton with fiberglass backing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Edgar Breitenbach, 1987.77
Zwanbien
Date1984
paint on cotton with fiberglass backing
Not on view