France, possibly Brittany, 16th century.

France, possibly Brittany, 16th century.
"Crucifixion".
Carved and polychrome wood.
It presents cracks and losses in the polychrome.
Measurements: 180 x 122 x 40 cm.
This sculpture of the crucified Christ, carved in wood and polychrome, is a remarkable testimony of the French religious sculpture of the 16th century, probably originating from the region of Brittany. The work, intensely devotional, presents evident formal reminiscences of the models of the 13th century, revealing an aesthetic and spiritual continuity that transcends the stylistic changes of the period.
The figure of Christ, with elongated proportions and restrained expression, adopts a posture that conveys both suffering and serenity. The body, treated with a restrained naturalism, presents a sober modeling, far from the later dramatic excesses, and maintains a hieratic frontality that accentuates its sacred character. The face, slightly inclined, with closed eyes and an expression of serene resignation, clearly refers to early Gothic iconography, in which the representation of the Redeemer emphasizes his role as judge and savior rather than as suffering martyr.
Although worn, the piece preserves significant remains that allow us to appreciate the careful treatment of the flesh, as well as details of the crown of thorns, the wounds and the cloth of purity. These elements do not seek bloody realism, but are integrated into a spiritualized vision of Christ's sacrifice. The cloth, carved with simple but expressive folds, reinforces the verticality of the figure and suggests a certain monumentality.
This crucified Christ, in its style and workmanship, reflects the survival of Gothic forms in rural or peripheral areas of France, such as Brittany, where religious art maintained close links with local traditions. The sculpture not only fulfills a liturgical or devotional function, but embodies a sensibility deeply rooted in medieval spirituality, still alive in the 16th century, apart from the Renaissance influences that already dominated other artistic centers in Europe.