Giovanni Pisano, the Dominicans, and the Origin of the "crucifixi dolorosi"

Abstract

The crucifixi dolorosi were traditionally believed to be a product of Central European, especially German culture. Their model was sought for in the well-known Crucifix of St. Maria in Kapitol church in Cologne. It is, however, probable that this sculptural type was of Italian origin. It could be inspired by sculptures of Giovanni Pisano, not only by his stone and wooden crucifixes, but also by such statues as his Christ from the Flagellation in the Pisa Baptistery pulpit. The spiritual roots of the sculptural type are to be found rather in the literature and praxis of flagellant brotherhoods, which blossomed in trecento Italy than in German mysticism where they were sought for earlier.