Crucifixion (fragment) 

This fragment of a Crucifixion was carved in wood, probably in the mid-18th century by Johann Georg Pinzel. Wood sculpture has a long and honorable history, yet it is not always considered as elevated as marble carving or bronze casting. Looking closely, we can see the directness of Pinzel's carving, the life he coaxed from a block of linden. The rapid, expressive cuts of his chisel have a strong impact. There's no mistaking the character of the material, or the skill of the artist's hand. It's a virtuoso performance in the subtractive process, bringing forth form by taking wood away. This directness gives the work its powerful emotional charge. Pinzel prompts us to think about the labor involved in the artwork's production, its social context, and the role of making in understanding its meaning. The distinction between the fine arts and the crafts begins to dissolve.