From goat willow to a sacred object

From goat willow to a sacred object
This sculpture of the crucified Jesus, also known as the Årdal crucifix, is regarded as one of the most beautiful works of medieval art from Rogaland. Jesus’ arms, and the cross on which the sculpture was hanging, have been lost. The crucifix dates from the early 13th century and was carved from the trunk of a goat willow. It was originally hung in the medieval church at Årdal in Ryfylke and is now incorporated in the new church built in the 17th century. In medieval times, Årdal was an important center in the Stavanger region. It is located approx. 40 kilometres as the crow flies from the ecclesiastical seat in Stavanger.

The crucifix may have been carved in Stavanger, where a thriving artisan community flourished during the same period. The Årdal crucifix is rare and particularly valuable because it shows Jesus carved in the Romanesque style with a kingly crown and parallel legs, in contrast to the Gothic style, without a crown of thorns and with crossed legs, which has been common from the 13th century to the present day.