Crucifix iconography

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe_Kelley
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Joe_Kelley

Guest
It seems that Jesus’ head is usually tilted to the His right on crucifixes. Does this have any special meaning in iconography?
 
I’ve never studied Greek iconography but I assume it’s tilted to the right for the same reason why His footing is tilted to the right: it’s towards the penitent thief, and away from the unrepentant one. I could speculate and say his head is down, also, because it has something to do with his voluntary abasement and suffering in the fullness of humanity.
 
Yes, it is a clear reference to the repentant and unrepentant, and also a foreshadowing of the text in Revelations where His sheep go to one side and the goats (unrepentant) to the other unto perdition.
 
Thanks for the replies. I suspected it was something like that but didn’t have the details.
 
Miserissima said:
Yes, it is a clear reference to the repentant and unrepentant, and also a foreshadowing of the text in Revelations where His sheep go to one side and the goats (unrepentant) to the other unto perdition.
Click to expand...
I’ve heard the same from several theologians.
 
There is an accomplished iconographer that resides that the Hermitage attached to Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland. Susie Smith. She’s a friend, so I asked her about the head tilting having something to do with Dismas as previously discussed.
Here’s her answer, but it’s not exactly what we were looking for. I post it for what it’s worth. 🤷

"Don’t think so Clare. But check out 6th century Sinai Pantocrator in St Catherine’s Monastery, one of first images of Christ, & is probably the prototype for all others. It was painted when the Shroud of Turin was in the Monastery. & guess what??? The images MATCH! Check it out its awesome!!! "
Blessings S

Peace,
pianist
 
By the way, something nice and wise to those two “UFOs” on Byzantine crosses could be also interesting. 🙂
 
Thanks again for your responses. One value of this forum is the wide range of knowledge available. - Joe K.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top