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The corpus was probably
carved in the early 1600's in Mexico. It is carved
from mesquite which is a very slow growing and hard
evergreen that grows in Mexico. Following a European
practice from the middle ages the figure was treated
with an egg mixture called gesso before being painted.
The features of the corpus are European with pale
almost deadly white skin when first painted. The
coloring has darkened significantly over time. Probably
some of this is due to the candles that were lit
as offerings with the prayers of numerous faithful.
Spainish sculptures of Jesus or Mary during their
suffering almost always use a wig instead of carved
hair. Their depictions of Jesus on the cross are
never stylized or "cleaned up". The wounds
that came from scourging, carrying the cross and
the crucifixion are depicted in all their reality.
The survival of this cross is somewhat unusual in
that during the 1920's in Mexico there was a rabid
persecution of Christians by the Socialist and Communists
in Mexico. Countless carvings of Jesus had their
arms broken off and burned.
The corpus made its way into this country via a
military convoy and a priest chaplain. It has hung
in Our Lady of Guadalupe since its inception some
thirty years ago. It currently is mounted on a walnut
cross with baroque carved framing that was made
for our new church. |
