Redeemer with the symbols of the Passion Jacopo del Sellaio (1441-1493)

The composition presents a figure depicted in a frontal pose against a dark background, framed by architectural elements that suggest a niche or doorway. The individual is crowned with stylized rays, indicating a divine or elevated status. His expression conveys a profound melancholy; the downturned mouth and slightly furrowed brow communicate sorrow and introspection rather than overt suffering.
The artist has rendered the figure’s hair in loose, wavy curls, a stylistic choice common in depictions of sacred figures during this period. The skin tone is pale, lending an air of solemnity and perhaps alluding to mortality. Visible on the forehead are marks that resemble punctures or wounds, subtly hinting at past trauma without explicitly portraying violence.
In his left hand, he holds a long, slender spear, its point directed downwards. This object serves as a direct reference to the Passion narrative, specifically the moment when a Roman soldier pierced Christ’s side after his crucifixion. The right hand is extended, revealing a glimpse of what appears to be blood on the palm – another symbolic element connected to the events surrounding the crucifixion.
The landscape visible through the architectural frame is rendered in muted tones and lacks detail, serving primarily as a backdrop that does not distract from the central figure. A small group of figures can be discerned in the distance, suggesting witnesses or mourners present at the scene.
Subtlety characterizes this work. The artist avoids dramatic gestures or overtly expressive features, instead opting for a restrained and contemplative portrayal. This approach invites quiet reflection on themes of sacrifice, suffering, and divine grace. The wounds are not presented as gruesome but rather as marks of experience, contributing to an overall sense of dignified sorrow. The spear is not wielded aggressively, but held passively, suggesting the inevitability of fate. Ultimately, the painting conveys a profound sense of spiritual weight through its careful composition and symbolic details.