Cross & Crosses: Guatemala Black Christ

Black Christ
Guatemala, c. early 20th century
Wood and paint, 12 inches

This particular crucifix, about 12 inches tall and yet to be restored, was acquired in the early seventies in Guatemala. The crucifix was carved anywhere from seventy-five to a hundred years ago. The cross piece appears to be a later replacement. The traditional color of the cross piece of these replicas is usually green. Green is the color for the center of the world tree in Mayan imagery. Green is also one of the most prominent colors in this fertile land and the color of young maize (the main food source). The tin halo is attached to the top of the head. The split beard is a feature of Christ going back to some of the earliest images of Christ, as found on the holy images believed to not have been made by human hands, the Mandylion and Vernonica. There are many black crucifixes in this area of Central America, most likely based on the crucifix at the Basilica of Esquipulas, located in Guatemala near its southern border with Honduras and El Salvador. One of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Latin America, the basilica houses the dark crucifix known as El Cristo Negro de Esquipulas, famous for healing. The first reported cure was to a bishop in the 17th century. In design, El Cristo Negro is a traditional Catholic rendition of Christ with the exception of the color.

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