Christ Teaching — High Romanesque Statue In Polychrome Wood - 12th Century

Probable origin: Southern France or Romanesque Catalonia

Rare Romanesque sculpture in polychrome carved wood, depicting Christ the Teacher (Christus Magister), standing, holding a Gospel book in his left hand. The right hand is raised in a gesture now partially erased by time, probably intended to evoke a teaching or speaking gesture, rather than a codified blessing gesture. The highly expressive face is sculpted according to Romanesque conventions: very pronounced brow ridges, deeply incised almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and a thin mouth. The head is gently inclined toward the right shoulder, giving the whole an attitude imbued with majesty and gentleness. The hair is long, streaked with deep, regular incisions, framing an oval face with a short beard styled with small spiral locks. Christ is dressed in a long tunic with stylized geometric folds, typical of the Romanesque aesthetic. The polychromy, although highly incomplete, reveals traces of vermilion red and white. Significant wear, highlighting the great antiquity of the work. Old losses: tips of the fingers of the right hand, mutilated parts of the Gospel. Remains of original polychromy visible in places. Wood consolidated in places, head, stabilized cracks.

This sculpture presents all the characteristics of southern Romanesque production (southern France, Catalonia), datable to the end of the 12th century or beginning of the 13th century. The rigid but expressive treatment, the relative frontality, as well as the pattern of the face and the folds recall the Christs in Majesty (Maiestas Domini) present in certain Catalan and Languedoc Romanesque churches, notably in the Pyrenean areas. The upright posture associated with the book clearly refers to the iconography of Christ teaching or Christ Pantocrator, more than to Christ blessing. Possible comparisons with: The tympanum of Saint-Pierre de Moissac (circa 1130), for the facial style.
The majestic Catalan Christs (National Art Museum of Catalonia, MNAC, Barcelona), for the general attitude.
Height: 54cm
Provenance: Private collection, southwest France. Dating: Late 12th century – early 13th century

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