graces The artist conveyed
a harsh and gory vision of the Redeemer’s body,
The artist conveyed a harsh and gory vision of the Redeemer’s body, as if he wanted to convey to the faithful the last moments of Jesus’ agony.The crucifix conforms in detail to the Death on the Cross as idealized by the Council of Trent’s Decrees on sacred Art. We do not see Jesus uttering his last words. We see only Christus morens with a pierced side, his suffering face and the violent sagging of a lifeless body. The blood gushing out of his wounds, reflect the medieval mystical writings of St. Bridget of Sweden. It is the prayer Anima Christi carved in wood. Although it lacks the qualities of Rubens’ painted crucifixes, characterized by Christ’s perfectly molded body, its spiritual dimension and sense of serenity transforms it into a highly devotional one, devoutly revered, through which the intercession of prayers could be answered and graces granted. The artist’s expression of Jesus’ suffering on the Cross epitomizes the Savior’s victory, and marks this fascinating holy image as an aesthetic presentation of the Christian faith. In 2017, the Gozo Crucifix was restored by the renowned firm of conservator-restorers Prevarti. It was the third restoration in 57 years. A book about this crucifix was also published in 2020. Its title is Crux Invicta.
Part 8. graces The artist conveyed a harsh and gory vision of theRedeemer’s body,
Psalms 123:1-4 (KJV) Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.