Christ Crucified c. 1620 - 1625

Leonhard Kern created this ivory sculpture of Christ Crucified sometime between 1588 and 1662. As a sculptor working in the Baroque period, Kern was known for his detailed and emotive religious figures. This sculpture invites us to reflect on the cultural and political weight of religious iconography during the 16th and 17th centuries. Carved from ivory, the figure of Christ embodies a certain purity and preciousness, yet it's juxtaposed with the brutal reality of the crucifixion. Consider the history of ivory as a material, often sourced through colonial exploitation, and how that intersects with the narrative of sacrifice and redemption depicted here. The suffering of Christ is palpable, but so is the idealized form and the intricate detail of the carving. This interplay between the suffering figure and the precious material encourages contemplation on themes of power, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between the sacred and the profane.