Italian Christ of the mid-16th century. Following models by GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA (Italy, ca. 1550-1577).Sculpture in gilt bronze and silver cross.Measurements: 12 x 10 cm (Christ); 45 x 23 cm (cross).The Christ we present here follows the model of the crucifix by Sebastiano Torrigiani, derived in turn from a model by his master Guglielmo della Porta, found in the church of San Giacomo Maggiore in Bologna. Thus, we are faced with the figure of Christ crucified with only three nails, accentuating the drama of the scene. This theatricality is enhanced by the elongation of the upper limbs, which support the entire weight of the protagonist's body.Guglielmo della Porta was a renowned Italian sculptor, architect and restorer of Mannerism. The son of Cristoforo della Porta and his wife Caterina, he received his artistic education from his uncle Giovanni Battista della Porta in Genoa. He worked for the cathedral of Genoa during his early years of artistic training already in 1531 together with his brother Giacomo and under the direction of his uncle on the statues of the chapel of St. John the Baptist. In 1537 he moved to Rome and became a disciple of Michelangelo, thus obtaining a greater number of commissions. An example of this is the bust he made for Pope Paul III in 1547, after his death, and the tomb of St. Peter, which was his main work, which occupied him from 1555 to 1575, although it was later revised by Bernini. His career as a sculptor at the court of the Farnese was due to his contact with Mario Maccarone, the supervisor of papal building projects. In 1540, as Della Porta he designed the tomb of Vincenzo degli Ubaldi in the church of Santi XII Apostoli. Della Porta was a lay brother of the Cistercians and was called from 1547 to the papal coinage. Among other things, his studio was commissioned to complement the legs of the torso of Farnese, which was found in 1546. The result was so convincing to his contemporaries that following Michelangelo's own advice he was approved to link the ancient limbs of the statue, which had been excavated. Today his works can be found in different places of great historical and artistic relevance, such as his sculpture of Moses in San Lorenzo de Fiori, or for example his works in the Giuliano chapel of the cathedral of Genoa, in Santa Maria del Popolo, and his bust of Paul III which is in the Museum of Capodimonte.