Cross & Crucifix: Our Lady of the Angels

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Photo, Red Crucifix
c. 2002
Bronze, 6 feet, 410 pounds

Simon Toparovsky studied A Doctor on Calvary by Dr. Pierre Barbetto in order to understand the physical suffering on the cross before he created this dramatic crucifix for the new cathedral in Los Angeles. Placed on a plain white cross, the body is over 6 feet tall, originally shaped out of a composite material and then bronzed. The posture is one of death after intense suffering. His head has collapsed onto his right shoulder. The left arm appears longer and dislocated. The sense of suffering is conveyed through the sag of the body held up by the nails in each hand and the contortions of his hands and feet. A single nail, the exit visible from the side, secures both feet to the cross. On Good Friday, the over 3000 congregants kiss the feet of either this crucifix or other crucifixes following a tradition that goes back to the fourth century in Jerusalem.

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