Holy Christ of La Laguna

This is the most venerated crucified Christ and the oldest sculpture in the Canary Islands. It is considered the most important flamenco statue of the Canary Archipelago, one of the images of greatest artistic value in Spain and one of the great European crucified figures.

Jesus hangs on the cross on three life-size nails . His head was depicted tilted and turned to the right side . His face shows pain and his body, and especially his muscles, have fairly correct proportions for the time. The image emphasizes the arms and legs fully extended on the cross, so the Christ of La Laguna does not represent the typical crucified person fainting on the cross with all his body weight on his knees. Christ's hair ends in curls , and his face is elongated with prominent cheekbones and an aquiline nose ; all these elements are specifically Jewish characteristics .

The Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna, a Gothic-style sculpture from the sixteenth century, was until recently said to be of Sevillian origin by an anonymous author. However, recent research by Professor D. Francisco Galante Gómez Gothic showed that it is of Flemish Brabant origin and sculpted by Louis Der Vule around 1514 . The statue was brought to the island of Tenerife via Venice, Barcelona and Cádiz due to trade relations and the importance of the import of works of art between the former Southern Netherlands and the rest of Europe.

It is not known for certain whether it was captured or rather a gift .

Willem Vandenameele