The Black Christ

This wood sculpture, portraying a larger than lifesize, elongated body of the crucified Christ, has a strong, archaic medieval character. Nevertheless, the elongation of the body contorted with pain conveys a Gothic sculptural feel to this piece. Moreover, the dramatic expression of the halfopen mouth and the dripping blood along the arms reflect a realistic sentiment associated with work from the Iberian Peninsula, although the expression of resignation is rather more Portuguese than Spanish. This Crucifix came from the Oratório das Donas in the Monastery of Santa Cruz.