Crucifixion Shrine

Joseph Koenig, Crucifixion Shrine, late 19th century, painted wood, glass, and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.254A-D
Copied Joseph Koenig, Crucifixion Shrine, late 19th century, painted wood, glass, and metal, overall (box): 23 1⁄4 x 19 1⁄2 x 6 7⁄8 in. (59.1 x 49.5 x 17.4 cm) Christ: 16 7⁄8 x 8 x 2 5⁄8 in. (43 x 20.4 x 6.8 cm) Laudmus Angel: 8 1⁄8 x 2 7⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (20.7 x 7.3 x 4.9 cm) Bendicimus Angel: 8 1⁄2 x 2 7⁄8 x 2 in. (21.5 x 7.4 x 5.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.254A-D
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Artwork Details

Title
Crucifixion Shrine
Artist
Date
late 19th century
Location
Dimensions
overall (box): 23 1⁄4 x 19 1⁄2 x 6 7⁄8 in. (59.1 x 49.5 x 17.4 cm) Christ: 16 7⁄8 x 8 x 2 5⁄8 in. (43 x 20.4 x 6.8 cm) Laudmus Angel: 8 1⁄8 x 2 7⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (20.7 x 7.3 x 4.9 cm) Bendicimus Angel: 8 1⁄2 x 2 7⁄8 x 2 in. (21.5 x 7.4 x 5.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted wood, glass, and metal
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
  • State of being — death — execution
  • Religion — angel
Object Number
1986.65.254A-D

Artwork Description

Crucifixion Shrine evokes European-inspired carvings found in nineteenth-century American churches. According to a piece of paper that was attached to this sculpture, Joseph Koenig created it for his home in Wisconsin and invited friends and neighbors to use it until the local community built a church. (Lynda Hartigan, Made with Passion, 1990)