Crucifix (Cimabue, Arezzo)

Crucifix by Cimabue at Arezzo
Artist Cimabue
Year 1267-71 
Medium Distemper and gold on wood panel
Dimensions 336 cm × 267 cm (132 in × 105 in)
Location Basilica of San Domenico, Arezzo

The Crucifix by Cimabue at Arezzoe is a large wooden crucifix painted in distemper, with gold leaf, by the Florentine painter and mosaicist Cimabue, dated to c. 1267-71. It is the earliest of two large crucifixes attributed to him.[1] It shows a painted representation of the near dead body of Christ on the cross, with Mary, mother of Jesus and John the Evangelist at either end of the cross beams.

Its importance lies, in part, in the stylistic innovations and departure from some of the prevailing Byzantine conventions of the time, towards greater expressionism (especially in its portrayal of the agonies of death by crucifixion), empathy and humanism.[2] In this, the work seeks to appeal to the viewer's heart rather than mind, and perhaps attempt to break the barrier between viewer and deity.[3]

The dating is based on stylistic advancements. The attribution to Cimabue has never been in doubt; it has been in situ at Arezzo since its completion. Art historians have established it as probably one of Cimabue's earliest works.[3]

Commission and attribution

In situ

The Crucifix was commissioned by members of the Dominican Order for the Basilica of San Domenico, Arezzo, Tuscany, where it has hung since its completion, above the high altar; occupying, in the words of art historian Monica Chiellini, the "position of absolute prestige...and the most decorative element [in a medieval church]".[4][5]

As such the work reflects, like the Franciscans (both order rose to importance during this period, and significantly impacted art history in their commissions, yet there are significant differences in outlook), that order's austerity, and preoccupation with the Crucifixion.[4]

Art historian Christopher Kleinhenz believes the move away from the Byzantine style was motivated by a desire to emphasise the "immediate, accessible, and human aspects of the deity", in line with the doctrines of piety emerging from both the Dominican and Franciscan orders.[5]

Description

The panels are brightly painted and gilded, to fit the style of a 13th-century church, where it would have been among similarly coloured frescos, capitals, icon paintings and stained glass windows.[4] The arms of the cross are embellished with painted coloured hanging cloths.[6]

The work has undergone two restorations, in 1917 and 2005, but is generally good condition considering its fragility and age.

Christ

Giunta Pisano's painted crucifix of c 1250-52, now in Bologna, Northern Italy, was a basis for Cimabue's work

The crucifix was painted in the Christus patiens ("Suffering Christ") style that emerged from the mid-13th century.[7] It displays the dying Christ on the cross, his eyes closed, his head resting on his shoulder, as his body buckles to the left. The sway of his rigid body indicates contortions brought about by pain. He wears a red gilded loincloth to cover his modesty.[8] The predominance of green hues emphasised the examination of near death and decay.[6]

Loincloth, with gold highlights

It is closely modeled on the crucifix by Giunta Pisano, now in the Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna.[5] This is most especially seen in the contortions and body type of Christ, the drapery, the architecture of the cross beams, the patterned borders and the figures of Mary and John the Evangelist at either end of the vertical cross beams. However, Cimabue goes further, especially in its portrayal of Christ's agony invoked by the contortions of his body. This is evident in that his body leans far more towards the viewer's left, and that his loincloth obscures a greater part of the patterned border alongside the crossbeam.[5]

The plague on the vertical bar above Christ's head bears the INRI inscription Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum ("Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews"). Above this again is a small panel showing Christ with his hand raised in blessing.

Mary and John

The mourning figures of Mary and John the Evangelist are shown at half length at either end of the vertical cross beams. Both rest their heads on their hands, hile Mary is shown weeping.[6]

The saints are painted with bright coloured hues, with gold highlights along the lines of their clothes (this gilding is absent in the more austere Santa Croce panels).[5]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Painted crucifix by Cimabue (Arezzo).
  1. ↑ The other is the crucifix at Santa Croce, commissioned by Franciscans. See Chiellini, 8
  2. ↑ Giorgio Vasari considered Cimabue the founder of Italian painting. See Kleinhenz, 224
  3. 1 2 Chiellini, 10
  4. 1 2 3 Chiellini, 8
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Kleinhenz, 224
  6. 1 2 3 Chiellini, 11
  7. ↑ Osborne, 245
  8. ↑ This veil becomes almost transparent in the Franciscan Santa Croce crucifix. See Kleinhenz, 224

Sources

  • Chiellini, Monica. Cimabue. London: Scala Books, 1988. ISBN 978-0-935748-90-1
  • Kleinhenz, Christopher. Medieval Italy: An Encyclopedia. Routledge, 2003. ISBN 978-0-4159-3929-4
  • Osborne, Harold. The Oxford Companion to Art. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1970. ISBN 978-0-19-866107-8
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