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 — 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.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Herbert Gentry, Meeting Series "B": Our Lives, 1988, mixed media on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.1, © 1988, Herbert Gentry
Meeting Series B”: Our Lives
Date1988
mixed media on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Our City, 1998, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.22.1, © 1998, Herbert Gentry
Our City
Date1998
acrylic on canvas
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, L'Homme Vert, 1993, color etching with metallic additions on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.22.2, © 1993, Herbert Gentry
L’Homme Vert
Date1993
color etching with metallic additions on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Ici, 1985, lift ground and aquatint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.3, © 1985, Herbert Gentry
Ici
Date1985
lift ground and aquatint on paper
Not on view