Spanish school of the early seventeenth century. School of VICENTE CARDUCHO (Florence, 1576 or 1978 - Madrid, 1638). "Christ embracing the cross". Oil on canvas. Relined. Measurements: 118 x 88,5 cm; 113,5 x 102,5 cm (frame). The images of Christ carrying the cross in his ascent to Mount Calvary were relatively frequent in Christian iconography, and since early Christian art there are examples that are linked to texts where reference is made to the symbolic role of the cross as an instrument of salvation and attainment of eternal life. The theme of this one can be derived from the Expolio, perhaps planned to be a series that completely addressed the passion of Christ. This work can be interpreted as a break in the journey made by Jesus of Nazareth along the Via Dolorosa, on the way to Mount Calvary, but perhaps the Cross is in this case a symbol of the individual task of overcoming the difficulties, especially spiritual, posed by everyday life. In this sense, one might think that in reality this painting takes up a quote from the Gospel of Matthew (16:24): "Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Dimensions 118 x 88,5 cm; 113,5 x 102,5 cm (frame).