Description
Christ is shown crucified on Mount Golgotha, with the walls of Jerusalem appearing on either side of the foot of the cross. Above, God the Father is seen with two angels and the dove of the Holy Spirit. The sun and the moon appear above the arms of the cross, and the skull of Adam is below. Large numbers of bronze crosses like this one were cast in 19th-century Russia for private devotion.
Provenance
George Way Williams, Detroit, Michigan, 1919-1920, by purchase [in Russia]; Mrs. J. Henry Dasenbrook, Baltimore, ca. 1980, by descent; Walters Art Museum, 1985, by gift.
Inscriptions
[Transcription] Beneath the arms of the cross: Кре(с)тоу твоемоу покланяемся, Вл(ады)ко, / и с(вя)тое воскресение τвое славiмъ (Кресту твоему поклоняемся, Владыко, и святое воскресение твое славим); [Translation] We venerate Thy cross, O Master, and we glorify Thy holy Resurrection [from the Liturgy of the third Sunday of Lent].
[Transcription] On the back: К(рес)тъ хранитель всей вселеннѣй, к(рес)тъ красота ц(е)рковнаѧ, к(рес)тъ ц(а)ремъ держава, к(рес)тъ вѣрнымъ утвержденïе, к(рес)тъ агг(е)лωмъ слава, к(рес)тъ бѣсомъ ѧзва; [Translation] The Cross is a guard for the entire universe, the Cross is beauty to the church, the Cross is power for [our] kings, the Cross is a support to the faithful, the Cross is glory for the angels, the Cross is a plague for the demons
Credit
Gift of Mrs. J. Henry Dasenbrock, 1985
