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Processional cross

Processional cross
 (1330s)

Medium
tempera and gold leaf on wood
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1960
Gallery location
Not on display
 

About this work

Throughout the medieval period crosses were carried in various Christian processions. Some were decorated on both sides, showing the crucified Jesus dead, and also alive. Evoking his pain and triumph over death simultaneously, such crosses encapsulated the central Christian message: faith in God ensures deliverance from suffering, and resurrection to eternal life. This interpretation of the cross as life-giving is underscored here in the leaf-like ornamentation of the carved, gilded wood. The strikingly realistic, tender representations of Jesus, and the small size of the cross itself, suggest it was made in Florence during the fourteenth century for use in an intimate setting.

Artwork Details

Medium
tempera and gold leaf on wood
Measurements
43.0 × 37.5 cm
Place/s of Execution
Florence, Italy
Accession Number
170-D5
Department
International Painting
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1960
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Gallery location
Not on display
Subjects (general)
Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
crosses (visual works) crucifixes Crucifixion of Christ (New Testament narrative) crucifixions Jesus Christ (Christian character) processional crosses
Provenance
Collection of Charles F. Worel, London by 1960 from whom acquired for the Felton Bequest on the advice of A.J.L. McDonnell, 1960.

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Essay
A Processional cross attributed to Bernardo Daddi and his workshop

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