Relleve depicting God the Father, holding an orb

hardwood with original polychromy, carved in two parts.
mid – to Late 19th century
42" x 19" x 1 1/2" (107 cm x 48 cm x 4 cm)

PROPERTY FROM THE DON BENITO J. LEGARDA JR. COLLECTION





by FLOY QUINTOSAnother relleve from the collection of Benito Legarda. Initially, this was thought to be depiction of Christ, as the saviour of the world, “Salvador del Mundo”, holding aloft the orb that is a symbol of both his divine and earthly power. Note the stern and powerful expression of the face and the fine rendering of the hair and beard. The depiction remains true to the canonical representations of the saviour as seen in western art. There is however one very enigmatic detail that makes us question the identity of the subject. Standard depictions of the Salvador del Mundo show the right hand raised, two fingers pointed heavenwards in benediction. But in this piece, the subject is very clearly pointing to his head. Also worth noting is the triangular halo, an attribute traditionally associated, not with Christ, but with God the Father. Thus, the more correct identification of the subject would be God the Father, the hand gesturing to the mind that conceived and created the universe. Solo depictions of God the Father are rare in Filipino ecclesiastical art. Especially one such as this, that portrays the creator with such dynamism and youth.