Slender Cross- Small
This asymmetrical metal crucifix was crafted by Robert M. Kuntz, Jr., a lifelong resident of South Bend who had a passion for sculpting and modeling. Kuntz held multiple different positions throughout his career including clay modeler, sculptor, and church furnishing designer. Kuntz was also the owner and manager of Model Tech Display Studio, a woodworking shop located in South Bend which specialized in industrial packaging, molding, and turnings. The artist speaks about his design technique in the following quotation:
“When creating a piece of art, I work directly in the wood, steel or other material, usually without a drawing or even a preconceived idea of the finished sculpture.”
Kuntz crafted crucifixes on and off throughout his life. He enjoyed working directly with the materials he was sculpting with, and often began without a drawing or preconceived idea of what the finished sculpture would look like. This slender crucifix is made entirely of metal, exhibiting a very slim post and cross section piece.
The crucifix has a unique crosspiece, which is not set perpendicular to the vertical post. Rather, it lays at an angle to portray depth. The Christ figure on this crucifix has a divided torso with bent arms, bent legs, and a disproportionate body. The body appears to be sinking down in exhaustion. The crucifix has a notably slender, sleek, and simplistic design.
This crucifix, along with two additional crucifixes, was donated by Charles S. Hayes, a Notre Dame graduate of 1965. The first is a nearly identical larger version and the second is a wooden and metal crucifix. All three crucifixes were crafted by Kuntz and are displayed on campuscrucifixes.nd.edu.
