On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00629
- Author
- Cano, Alonso (Spanish)
- Title
- Dead Christ held by an Angel
- Chronology
- 1646-1652
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 180 cm x 120 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The inert body of Christ is held up
by a young angel in front of a
crepuscular landscape. To the left
of Christ's shroud is a brass basin
with a sponge. The nails, crown of
thorns, and Jesus' wounds, allude
to the suffering of his
Passion.
This work dates from Cano's second
period in Madrid, in which he
explores the expressive
possibilities of light as a vehicle
for focusing our attention on a
dramatic scene. Here, he constructs
a work worthy of unhurried and
concentrated meditation, reducing
gestural expressivity to a minimum.
