Dal Molin Stefano's Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross)

One of the interesting projects that the Italian woodworking and iconography studio Dal Molin Stefano unveiled in recent years is this particularly beautiful set of Stations of the Cross that they worked on in collaboration with iconographers Giovanni Raffa and Laura Renzi. 

This particular set of Stations was designed for a monastery in California and are made of decorative, carved frames made of solid wood. These frames were completed in a beautiful ebony stain with hand painted gold detailing for the Roman numerals. Each frame has then had a beautiful and traditional iconographic panel inserted within and the end result is both beautiful and spiritually impactful. 

Frankly, it would be good to see more such Stations of the Cross employed within parishes, not only for reason that many parishes have Stations that are rather lack-lustre, rather "art de Saint-Sulplice," but also for reason that Stations such as these are so particularly well suited to the meditative purpose and intent of the Stations of the Cross.

Before we share some of the other Stations found in the set, let's take a quick look at some of the underlying craftsmanship that was involved in their production. 

I. The Process of Creation

The core interior frames plus the Italianate crosses and individually numbered shields that will accompany each station.

Here we can see the decorate facing for each frame.

We now see the frames stained, and we begin to see the insertion of some of the other decorative carvings that will embellish each frame

Hand painting the Roman numbers in a gold -- which will also complement the iconography nicely

One of the 'raw' icon panels

The station seen from the reverse with the icon panel now inserted

A detail of the floriated decorations found on the corners of the station frames

II. The Final Result

Now that you have seen a bit of the background process -- which I believe helps to emphasize the quality and originality of a set like this -- let's turn to what many are no doubt primarily interested in, some examples of the completed stations. 

III. Jesus Falls for the First Time

IV. Jesus Meets His Mother

V. Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross

VI. Veronica Wipes the Face of Christ with Her Veil

VII. Jesus Falls for the Second Time

VIII. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

IX. Jesus Falls for the Third time

Evidently these are Stations III through IX, so we have not shown here he entire set of fourteen, but this should certainly give you a sense of the entire set.

That said, if you'd like to explore this possibility for your own church or monastery, we would certainly encourage you to head on over to Dal Molin Stefano's website or to reach out to them on social media for these or for other of their offerings. 

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