Saint Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Artist
Paolo de Matteis
(Italian, 1662-1728)
Dateearly 18th century
Object number65.0531
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions69 1/8 × 49 3/16 in. (175.5 × 125 cm)
frame: 77 3/4 × 65 × 4 1/2 in. (197.5 × 165.1 × 11.4 cm)
frame: 77 3/4 × 65 × 4 1/2 in. (197.5 × 165.1 × 11.4 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineMuseo de Arte de Ponce. The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Collections
DescriptionThe painting illustrates the legendary story of the encounter between Christ on His way to Calvary and a woman named Veronica. After she wipes His face with a veil or cloth, His features are miraculously imprinted on the fabric. In the center of the scene is Christ, who has fallen beneath the cross and supports Himself with His left hand resting on a rock. He gazes upward in agony, with His long curls falling onto His bare shoulder. Just above Him, but separated by the cross, stands a young man who extends his arms forward, likely to prevent the young woman in the left foreground from getting any closer. She is Saint Veronica, kneeling on the ground, appearing ready to wipe Christ’s face with the large cloth she holds. The light coming from the left fully illuminates Christ, while Veronica’s face remains a dark silhouette. The spatial arrangement of the three figures effectively conveys a poignant, if condensed, depiction of one of the most emotional moments in the Passion of Christ.
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