The Impenitent Thief (1540s and 1550s) by Corrado de MochisVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The head of a serpent, a symbol of evil, blends into dark clouds: the animal hisses, attached to the wood of the cross, and licks a hanging head.
It is the Impenitent Thief (Bad Thief), who was crucified to the left of Jesus Christ at Golgotha. The one without faith who said, angrily: "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
The panel, today displayed within the Duomo Museum, was created by Corrado de Mochis from Cologne in 1544, as completion of the great Crucifixion scene produced by Pietro da Velate at the beginning of the 16th century.
Stories from the New Testament (1838 - second half of the 19th century) by Bertini workshopVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The scene was conceived as an integral part of the Passion Cycle created for the imposing apsidal window V19 depicting episodes from the New Testament.
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In the same hall of the Duomo Museum where it is possible to admire the Bad Thief, his positive counterpart is visible side by side...
The Penitent Thief (1540/1559) by Corrado de MochisVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
It is the Pentitent Thief (Good Thief), the one who was crucified to the right of Jesus.
The one who exclaimed forcefully, addressing the Impenitent Thief: "Have you no fear of God, you who are sentenced to the same punishment?"
"Justly for us, because we are receiving what we deserve for our actions; but he has done nothing wrong."
And then he implored: "Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom."
As well as the panel depicting the Bad Thief, this is a work by Corrado de Mochis and it is exhibited in Duomo Museum since 1974. Previously it was part of window V5 on the south side of the Cathedral where it had been moved by the Bertini Workshop during the 19th century.
The Impenitent Thief (1540s and 1550s) by Corrado de MochisVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
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