Continental school, 18th century or earlier, oil on canvas laid to burlap painting of Christ on the cross set against a darkened sky, with a bolt of red lightning at lower right. Light radiates from the face of Christ as he tilts his head and looks upwards. Housed in an antique parcel gilt ebonized wood frame. Sight: 28 1/2 in. H x 20 1/2 in. W. Canvas: 29 in. H x 21 in. W. Framed: 32 1/2 in. H x 24 1/2 in. W. 

Canvas has been lined with burlap. With craquelure throughout plus yellowing or darkening to varnish and stretcher lines. With scattered retouching and inpainting from multiple restoration campaigns, primarily older and under varnish layer, largest apparent area to upper right of cross, 3/4 inch x 1/4 inch. Some areas of cleavage especially to right half of painting, primarily outside of figure. With old repaired tear, likely with related retouching or inpainting, to center right, in background, along with pinhole puncture plus a second pinhole puncture to center left. Horizontal lifting to paint layer along lower edge, just below feet, largest area 2 1/2 inches long. Minor lacuna to Christ's right forearm. Paper with printed French text, likely newspaper fragments, has been applied to the edges of the stretcher. Frame with losses to paint and minor abrasions.  

The collection of Mr. and Mrs. David Allen, Springfield, Tennessee.