Christ and St. Thomas (Verrocchio)

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Christ and St. Thomas

Andrea del Verrocchio, 1467-1483

Bronze, height 230 cm

Florence, Orsanmichele

Christ and St. Thomas (1467-1483) is a bronze statue by Andrea del Verrocchio located in one of the 14 niches of the Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy. The work depicts the Biblical account of Thomas the Apostle, who doubted the resurrection of Jesus and had to feel the wounds for himself in order to be convinced (John 20:24-29). The surrounding marble niche was designed by Donatello for his St. Louis of Toulouse (1413), but the statue was moved to Santa Croce when the niche was sold to the Tribunale di Mercanzia (merchants guild), who commissioned the Verrochio work.

[edit] Style

The work was the first narrative based work to appear at Orsanmichele. In its execution Verrocchio showed sophisticated knowledge of the style and substance of classical sculpture. The figures were cast without backs (i.e. not in the round) as they were only to be viewed from the front. This had the added benefits of saving on bronze (which was roughly ten times more expensive than marble), making the work lighter and easier to fit into the niche.

The interaction between the characters of Christ and St. Thomas show a strong sense of movement and dialogue. Differences between the mortal and the immortal are highlighted with Christ's passive, almost regal stance and the agitated and nervous disposition of the doubting St. Thomas.

[edit] Mercanzia

Part of the remit of the Merchant's guild was to be a judicial, overseeing body. As such the theme of Christ and St. Thomas would have been attractive to them as it concerned proof and the presentation of indefatigable evidence.

[edit] References

• Hartt, Frederick and Wilkins , David G. History of Italian Renaissance Art. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.