Processional Cross

Neri di Bicci1470/1480

Details

Title: Processional Cross
Creator: Neri di Bicci
Creator Lifespan: 1418/1492
Creator Nationality: Italian
Creator Gender: Male
Creator Death Place: Florence, Italy
Creator Birth Place: Florence, Italy
Date Created: 1470/1480
Location: Firenze, Italy
Physical Dimensions: w47 x h62.8 x d2 (work with mount)
Label Copy: The suffering and triumph of Christ are dramatically juxtaposed on this rare and delicate cross. On one side, the dead Christ slumps forward, flanked by the mourning Virgin and Saint John the Evangelist with God the Father looking on from above and the apostle Philip below. On the other side, by contrast, Christ stands upright, surrounded by the four Evangelists who witness his triumph over death and sin. This cross was carried aloft on a staff in religious processions, and the depiction of Christ on either side of the cross would ensure that an image addressed spectators no matter where they stood. The juxtaposition of the living and dead Christ would have resonated powerfully with many of the church rituals for which the cross was used, notably funeral rites and the Eucharist, which re-enacted Christ's sacrifice.
Type: Painting
External Link: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1942.6/1942.6OBV.JPG?lasttype=boolean;lastview=thumbnail;resnum=1;sel9=ic_exact;size=20;sort=relevance;start=1;subview=detail;view=entry;rgn1=musart_an;select1=ic_exact;q1=1942.6
Medium: tempera and gold on wood

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