Christ Carrying the Cross c. 17th century

This bronze relief sculpture, “Christ Carrying the Cross,” was created by Francesco Fanelli, an Italian sculptor, around the mid-17th century. Notice how the composition is densely packed, filled with figures struggling and lamenting. The artist uses a shallow depth of field, compressing the scene and heightening the emotional intensity. The texture of the bronze is rough and uneven, which enhances the drama and suffering depicted, and the cross dominates the composition, its stark geometry contrasting with the organic forms of the figures. Fanelli’s choice of bronze as a medium is significant. It signifies permanence, but the rough texture suggests a break from classical ideals. The scene is a chaotic moment, destabilizing conventional religious iconography through its raw and visceral depiction of human suffering. Consider how the manipulation of form and material in this artwork challenges traditional notions of beauty and piety, inviting us to confront the harsh realities of human existence.