Flemish Carved Ivory Figure of Christ Crucified ‘Christo Vivo’

Period: 1600-1700

Origin: Flemish

Medium: Ivory

Literature: Through carvings such as this it was the intention of the Church to harness the natural sense of sympathy and pity for the suffering of others in order to inspire and deepen faith in Christ and to strengthen devotion to him. The image of Christ on the cross became both the sign of God’s love and his sacrifice for humanity, as well as the focus for humanity’s own compassion for the suffering saviour.
The carving of His muscular body supporting an uplifted head with eyes wide open conveys to the faithful his physical strength and purposeful endurance, whilst the whiteness of the ivory symbolises his purity and divinity. In the throes of agony, but still alive, he prays to God ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34) Christ is praying for humanity. Although dying a brutal death, he intercedes for the salvation of others and achieves the divine.