Crucifixion

The sculptural image of the Crucifixion is carved from wood with original polychromy, which has been partially lost. The elongated, curved silhouette of Christ's body is depicted at the moment of death. The emotional charge is intensified by the bowed head, bent knees, and slightly bent legs. His eyes are closed, and his face expresses both suffering and humility, conveying the spiritual elevation that transformed death into a symbol of victory over sin. The thin body is anatomically realistic, with carefully textured chest and muscles on the arms and legs, emphasising the idea of suffering and torment, which is enhanced by polychromy. Christ's hands, with open palms, are raised and spread at an angle, without any obvious tension. The perizoma covering the hips adds expressive colour to the tragic image. The drapery is modelled with dynamic folds and soft, ribbed protrusions. The crucifixion corresponds to the general trend in sacred sculpture, where the work is intended to evoke the viewer's feelings and encourage empathy.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery