Abstract
Pope Clement VII commissioned a crucifix from Valerio Belli in 1524, including three engraved oval crystals that were on its stand, for his personal use. This crucifix signified Christ’s dynamic presence for Pope Clement VII, whose personal device featured an active rock crystal orb. Renaissance treatises ascribed theological and mystical virtues to gemstones, thereby granting rock crystal numinous power. I argue these mystical associations may have been encouraged by rock crystal’s actual piezoelectric and triboluminescent qualities. This paper also investigates the relationship between Christ’s body and the crystal medium itself, demonstrating how the crystal’s light-bending, “optically active” refractive nature enhanced its supernatural aura. As its cavities captured light, it formed Christ’s mysterious indwelling body, its punctured surfaces imaging Christ’s wounds. The crucifix’s oval stand images were disseminated via bronze medallions cast from their crystal cavities. As these bronze plaquettes circulated, they spread their narratives while connecting viewers with the crucifix, disseminating images to minds and hearts understood to retain memories like cast wax. The Vatican crucifix’s generative forms thus emerged in Rome during a turbulent time. I also use current neuroscience to connect ideas of neuroplasticity and analogical reasoning to historical understandings of image processing as forming images within.