thief on a cross
Report a Mistake- Date Made 1940's-1971
- Event --
- Affiliation French Canadian, Quebecois
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Roy, Philippe
- Object Number 77-1079
- Place of Origin Continent - North America, Country - Canada, Province / Territory - Quebec, Municipality - Saint-Philémon, Township / District - Bellechasse, County of
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Ceremonial artifact
- Department Folklore
- Museum CMH
- Earliest 1940/01/01
- Latest 1971/12/31
- Materials Wood, Mammal wool
- Measurements Height 76.5 cm, Width 38.5 cm, Outside Diameter 10.7 cm
- Caption The Crucifixion, Saint-Philémon, Québec, ca. 1960
- Additional Information Philippe Roy led a simple, secluded life with his sister in a very isolated house. He had a special rapport with nature and was deeply religious. Mr. Roy began carving while working in a lumber camp in his youth. It was not until thirty years later, because of illness, that he began to sell his carvings to pickers. He liked to carve the Christian mysteries, especially Christ on the cross. Using only discarded pieces of wood, a simple penknife, emery paper and leftover paint, he nevertheless was capable of heightening realism with a few details. In this work, the figures of Christ and the two thieves have human hair, and Christ's crown is made of real thorns.