Oberammergau Stained Crucifix
This painted wooden crucifix was crafted by Max Keller in Oberammergau, a city in the southern German state of Bavaria. This town is known for its skilled woodworkers including Keller who was born in Oberammergau in 1940. He began his woodcarving apprenticeship at Schauer & Mangold in Oberammergau in 1954. He is also a member of the St. Lukas Verein: Vereinigung der Oberammergauer Holzschnitzer (The Association of Oberammergau Woodcarvers). Keller is currently the owner of the woodcarving shop Holzschnitzerei located in Oberammergau, where he mostly produces wood carvings of religious figures and scenes. This is one of the few remaining family woodcarving operations that still sells its own original work.
This particular cross is 60cm long and the body of Christ is 30cm long. This crucifix is particularly gruesome and grotesque due to the use of color. Christ’s wounds are very apparent, including slashes on his chest and on both knees. In addition, the wounds from the nails are dripping blood and amplify Christ’s suffering. His solemn facial expression emphasizes the discomfort and pain being endured. The crucifix is gold plated, including around Christ’s head and on the cloth he is wearing. His ribs are exposed, along with the nails by which Christ was nailed to the cross; Christ appears weak and exhausted. His head lays to the side and he is sinking down in pain and agony.
Along the top of the post sits a sign that reads “I.N.R.I”. These letters are an abbreviation for “Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum” or “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. This inscription was written in three languages during the crucifixion of Jesus: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. In the Latin script, “I” and “J” are generally not distinguishable from one another, which is why “I” is used instead of “J” in the inscription. The Romans commonly included a titulus, or label, above those being crucified as a representation of the charges against them. This titulus was set above Jesus as a symbol of mockery.
In total, this crucifix is accompanied by four additional crucifixes, all crafted by Keller in Oberammergau. Information on all of these crucifixes is available on campuscrucifixes.nd.edu.