Cristo Yacente of El Pardo, Religious sculpture in El Pardo, Spain
The Cristo Yacente of El Pardo is a wooden sculpture that depicts Jesus Christ lying down after the crucifixion. The work is housed in a side chapel of the Capuchin Convent, protected by a bronze and marble display case.
King Philip III commissioned the artist Gregorio Fernández with this work in 1614, which arrived at the Capuchin Convent in 1615. The piece was created during a flourishing period of Spanish wooden sculpture craftsmanship.
The sculpture shows a theme of Spanish church art from the 16th and 17th centuries, where Christ's wounds are made visible. You find here a precise anatomical representation of the human body in religious context.
The work stands in a side chapel, so it is easily accessible from the main church. Visitors should keep in mind that this is a functioning monastery space where silence and respect are important.
The work was carved from pine wood and hollowed out inside, which keeps its structure stable and reduces weight. The surface is treated with colored oil that highlights the fine details of muscles, hair, and facial features.
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