Pittura toscana del XIV secolo (nei modi)

Crucifix (Christus Patiens) with God the Father, the Virgin Mary, and Saint John In the style of 14th-century Tuscan painting Tempera on wood panel Height: 150 cm - Width: 99 cm Non-invasive conservative restoration performed (see the photo of the work before the intervention for details) Complete photographic details (Click HERE) We present this precious antique crucified Christ, with God the Father blessing in the crest, the sorrowful Madonna, and Saint John in the lateral terminals; the latter, weeping, are the figures mentioned by the Gospels, present at the foot of the cross and who witnessed the sacrifice of Jesus, therefore having an important value of testimony and participation. The work, a tempera on panel, is made in the style of 14th-century Tuscan painting, following its standards of quality and style. The first painted crosses, created in Tuscany and Umbria in the 12th century, became the symbol of Christ's sacrifice and therefore the emblem of Christianity. While in this first phase the type of Christ was that of the Christus Triumphans, with the triumphant aspect over death, from the mid-13th century, with the preaching of Saint Francis of Assisi who favored the human aspect of Christ, the model of the Christus Patiens was preferred instead. A key work of this genre is Giotto's crucifix in Santa Maria Novella in Florence, not only for quality, but also for the depth of meanings and symbolic values, becoming a reference model for the painting of many followers. Giotto renounces the beauty ennobled by the slender and geometrically perfect forms of the body (because divine) but implausible, to propose the body of any man, really nailed to the cross abandoned with all its physically visible weight. The painter focuses on the realistic aspects of his condition, such as the color of the complexion, the blood, the ribs that press the skin, the stretched tendons of the arms, the head falling forward and the sense of exhaustion of the body. As for the cross proposed here, we see a painting rendered according to the fourteenth-century canons introduced by Giotto: Christ has his head reclined and great attention is given to the anatomical description of the body. It is made with shaped axes in soft wood; the painting is executed in tempera, but reveals a refined quality in the dosage of colors and chiaroscuro passages. The halo, as well as the background of the figures of the terminals, is made with a gold background, also traditional; in our case, metal decorations are applied on the contour of the halo, a detail that does not belong to the Italian tradition, but seems to belong to the French Gothic taste. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/