Provenance: Private Collection, Makati City

ABOUT THE WORK

Graciano T. Nepomuceno was one of the leading Philippine sculptors during the first half of the 20th century. His works are ranked in the same level as that of Isabelo Tampinco and Guillermo Tolentino. He was well known as a santero, a carver of santos or religious images, and the San Francisco de Assisi that he made for the Quiapo church was particularly renowned. This particular piece of sculpture is a greater-than-life-sized bust of Christ which was probably conceptualized as a detail of a tableau when Christ was presented by Pilate to the populace. The statue shows Christ in an attitude of resignation. His face shows the pain and suffering he has endured which is further emphasized by the oversized crown of thorns around his brow. His long hair, which is beautifully carved even at the back, is matted with sweat and blood. The work leaves a powerful impact on the viewer and is signed ‘G. T. Nepo/62’. -Martin I. Tinio, Jr.