Crucifix

Abstract

This painted wood crucifix was made in the second half of the 14th century. It was originally located in the church of San Domenico in Capua and is now on display in the Museo Campano in the same city. Amalia Galeone suggests that the crucifix was made by a Neapolitan workshop or one part of a larger territory known as the “Terra di Lavoro.” The “Terra di Lavoro” encompassed most of Campania (Capua, Naples and Caserta), and some cities on the border of southern Lazio and Molise. Christ’s suffering is emphasized by his emaciated body, protruding ribs and his head hanging low, alluding to the Christus patiens iconography. An iron nail pierces through Christ’s feet. The loincloth is painted with cross motifs. The sculpture is not in good condition; Christ’s hands are broken off. The paint has darkened with time, and some has chipped off the figure. The cross which supports Christ is the original. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.