Latin America, Guatemala, ca. 19th century CE. A hand carved and painted depiction of the Cristo Negro (Black Christ) on the cross with the letters "INRI" (Latin for Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews) on a white banner above (the banner said to have been placed there by Pontius Pilate), upon the little mountain or hill of Golgotha. The worship of Cristo Negro has its origins in a town called Esquipulas, Guatemala in 1594 CE when an image was created by the Portuguese sculptor Quirio Cantano upon the request of the Guatemalan bishop. The darker complexion chosen by the early clergy was intentional, as it was thought that the indigenous population would then identify with the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ. As members of the lowest class of their society in their own land, they embraced the Cristo Negro and identified with his realistic agony and martyrdom. Size: 12.25" H (31.1 cm)

The dark brown of many Christ figures naturally darkened further to a blacker hue due to exposure to smoke and incense. And so, although the initial brown was intended to represent Indian skin color, many Christs created by the native population were created in the color black. In time miracles were ascribed to the so-called Black Christ or Cristo Negro. This example is characteristically depicted in the crucified pose, with head cocked toward the right, blue mantle tied around waist and hips, and perforations indicative of stigmata through extended hands and feet and one laceration at chest. A wondrous work of Spanish Colonial religious art!

Provenance: private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired thirty years ago

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#121997

A few fingers/fingertips missing. Expected surface wear with pigment losses as shown, though much pigment remains.