Crucifix
c. 1700/35
Medium
Gilt bronze, lapis lazuli
Dimensions
105.4 × 43.5 cm (41 1/2 × 17 1/8 in.)
Classification
bronze
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
24827
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Crucifix*, crafted around 1700–1735, stands as a masterful example of European applied arts from the early 18th century.ing at over 105 cm tall, it features a gilt bronze figure of Christ on the cross, enriched with vibrant lapis lazuli accents—likely in the eyes or wounds—for a striking lifelike effect. The unknown artist's work reflects the era's devotion to religious iconography, where crucifixes served as focal points for prayer and contemplation in churches or private chapels. Gilt bronze, a technique involving finely cast bronze coated in a thin layer of gold, lent the s...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...