The statue of the Dead Christ is one of the most important elements significant and touching moments of the Good Friday Procession in Procida . This simulacrum, made of wood, is a masterpiece of sacred art from the 18th century. century and represents the emotional culmination of the entire procession.

Origin and Author

The work is attributed to the Neapolitan sculptor Carmine Lantriceni, active in the eighteenth century and known for his skill in represent religious pathos with great expressiveness. The statue was commissioned by the Congrega dei Turchini , which still takes care of it today preservation and organizes its exit in procession.

Artistic Description

The sculpture depicts the lifeless body of Jesus Christ lying down, with his head bowed and his limbs marked by the signs of the Passion. The face expresses pain and serenity at the same time, with half-closed eyes and features sculpted with extraordinary realism. The body, emaciated and marked from the wounds of the crucifixion, is wrapped in a shroud that leaves uncovered the wounds of the Passion.

One of the most impressive elements is the care of the anatomical details, typical of the Neapolitan school of the 18th century, which gives the statue an almost living appearance. The chromatic nuances, given by the pictorial glazes on the skin and the contrast between the pallor of the body and the wounds, increase the sense of drama and emotional participation.

The Role in the Procession

The Dead Christ is carried on a bed wooden processional, adorned with black veils and soft lights, which emphasize the sacredness. It is carried by the members of the Congregation of the Turchini , who proceed slowly and in absolute silence, followed from the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows , symbol of Mary's suffering.

The atmosphere during the passage of the statue is intense and touching: the streets of Procida fill with faithful in prayer, while the sound of the drums marks the funeral rhythm of the procession.

Custody and Conservation

During the year, the statue is preserved with great care devotion in the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas , seat of the Congregation of Turchini. Here it is kept in a protective urn and periodically restored. to preserve its integrity and artistic beauty.

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