Christ Bound

Physical perfection becomes an expression of sanctity in this statuette. Duquesnoy, a Fleming working in Rome, created monumental sculpture that earned him esteem rivaling that of his great Italian contemporaries Bernini and Algardi. His Roman career began, however, with small carvings in ivory, whose material qualities of luminosity, reception of detail, and appeal to touch inspired the creation of sculptural masterpieces for thousands of years. Duquesnoy's elegantly proportioned yet naturalistic Christ twists in a precariously balanced pose. His anguished face may echo prints from northern Europe. This work offers the finest known rendition of a highly popular design. A clay version depicted in an 18th-century print bore an attribution to Duquesnoy.