Late-17th-c. Spanish Colonial painting of Christ the Physician.
Artwork Details
Medium
Oil
Made/Created
Date made
circa 1690
Time Period
17th Century
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Canvas
Height
65-1/2 in
Width
43-1/2 in
Dimension Description
Framed
Height
73-1/2 in
Width
52 in
Interpretative Labels
Label
The message that Christ could heal the faithful who were ill and suffering was a powerful one in Spanish America that aided in evangelization efforts. The portrayal of Christ as divine physician is based on a 16th-c. engraving by the Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius. Jesus holds a human heart infected by sin (the pig, frog, and money bag are symbols of evil) and a large cross with the serpent of Moses. Blood flows from Christ’s wound to a cup held by a sickly female figure. She is supported by a personification of Faith; above is an orb inscribed with “FIAT,” signifying creation and redemption.
La idea de un Cristo capaz de sanar a los creyentes enfermos o sufrientes fue una imagen poderosa que ayudó en los esfuerzos de evangelización en Hispanoamérica. La representación de Cristo como médico divino se basa en un grabado del siglo XVI del artista neerlandés Hendrick Goltzius. Jesús sostiene un corazón infectado por el pecado (el cerdo, la rana y la bolsa con dinero son símbolos del mal), y una gran cruz con la serpiente de Moisés. La sangre brota de la herida de Cristo y va a caer en un recipiente que sostiene la figura enfermiza de una mujer. La mujer aparece sostenida por la personificación de la Fe; encima de ella, una esfera con la inscripción "FIAT" simboliza la creación y la redención.
Label Type
Credit Line
Label
Purchased by Saint Joseph's University through the Ruth Prentiss Peters Living Trust and the Joseph P. Peters Living Trust
