This work would have
been made less than a century after the practice of crucifixion was
ended by the Emperor Constantine. The most notable trace of the
previous century's reticence about the crucifixion is the absence of
crosses. The posture of the arms has a similar effect, suggesting the orant
pose more than the V shape of a physiologically accurate rendering.
Unlike the naked victims of historical crucifixions, the three figures
wear the perizoma favored in
Christian art for modesty. The one sure sign that these are
crucified figures is the presence of nails in their palms. (A nail also
seems to be represented in the left foot of Christ.)
More of the Crucifixion