This stationalcross from 1270 is designed to hang above the church’s altar. It features oversized end panels as seen in many Byzantine reliquary crosses. It is designed for instructive purposes, and so is encircled with traditional narrative paintings that would be recognized by the common people. The stories told here illustrate many scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus.
It is significant to me, because of the way it ties Christ’s death to His life in one image. The “stories” on the ends of the cross remind the viewer of the life of Christ, and the good He did. Often I believe the dramatic depictions of the crucifixion cause us to forget the grandeur of Christ’s life. The way the artist reminds us of that in this crucifix is significant.
Christ’s body doesn’t seem to represent natural proportions exactly, but there is noteworthy detail in His face and the faces of the other persons.
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