Hand Cross
unknown
Basic information
Additionally
- Type
- decorative and applied arts ritual items
- Genre
- religious
- Provenance
- Boratyn village, Lutsk district, Volyn region
Information about author
Object description
The design of the hand cross is seven-pointed, with an elongated central crosspiece. Its compositional solution is simple and laconic. Iconographic scenes occupy the central part of the central crosspiece on both sides. The front is decorated with a relief of the Crucified Christ. The crucifixion follows the Western iconographic tradition of Jesus being nailed to the cross with three nails. The artist depicts the body of Christ with anatomical accuracy, skilfully working out the tense muscular arms and legs and the protruding chest with a sunken abdominal cavity. The loincloth tied to the thighs and the halo around Jesus' head, outlined by shallow lines, add to the decorative effect. The ends of the lower frame are filled with waist-length relief images of the Virgin Mary and John standing with their hands folded in prayer. At the lower end is a carved burning heart pierced by an arrow, symbolising salvation. On the back of the cross, in the central part, is a textured relief of the Ascension scene. The figure of Christ, with his right hand raised, rests on a slanted pedestal. His body is wrapped in a drapery, one end of which appears to be fluttering in the wind, creating a dynamic image. A clear carved stripe runs along the outline of the cross, rising above the smooth background. Each of the seven edges has a finish that resembles a moulded cornice.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
