Museum collection · Art Institute of Chicago · 27747
Corpus of Christ
Spanish, 13th century
Art Institute of Chicago · Kate S. Buckingham Endowment · Public domain
- Artist
- Spanish
- Date
- 13th century
- Medium
- Wood with traces of polychromy
- Dimensions
- 201.9 × 165.1 cm (79 1/2 × 65 in.)
- Era
- Museum collection
Why it matters
This sculpture of the crucified Christ reportedly came from a church in Banyoles in northeastern Spain. It was displayed between the choir and the nave, which was the space reserved for the congregation. Originally painted and gilded, it would have provided a dramatic focal point for the faithful. Christ’s figure, with drooping head, closed eyes, and limp body, emphasizes his humanity and suffering. This resigned treatment of the crucified Christ gained currency around 1200, in contrast to more upright and triumphant representations of Christ on the cross of earlier centuries.