Christ in a Dungeon

myminifactory

Jesus Christ is typically shown wearing a crown of thorns during his final hours on earth. While numerous versions and interpretations exist, Christ's face is often depicted realistically, with a simple representation of his figure. In Western sculpture, a detailed rendering of the subject is usually avoided. Russian artists carving sculptures for churches and chapels considered that Christ was typically dressed in luxurious fabrics such as brocade or velvet, except for his head and hands. New subjects like Christ in the Dungeon emerged during the 17th and 18th centuries, receiving mixed reactions. Tsars and archbishops frequently expressed their opposition openly, while patriarchs in the 17th century and the Holy Synod in the 18th century even prohibited the creation and presence of such representations in places of worship. Nevertheless, carved sculptures began to reappear in Russian churches and chapels over time. A notable example is Christ in the Dungeon, also known as the Midnight Saviour, the Suffering Christ, or Christ the True.