Christ Carrying the Cross
Artist: Matthias Grünewald
1523-24
Painting
Christ slumps on his knees in the centre of this composition. He has collapsed while carrying the heavy cross on the way to his own Crucifixion. He gazes upwards in exasperation. His back is dramatically and angularly arched, thus evoking a sense of discomfort, pain, and suffering. Christ is surrounded on both sides by armed henchmen that taunt and mock him. A man to Christ’s left tugs aggressively on his drapery, forcing him to continue his journey. A crouching figure on the right stares hostilely at Christ. The background of the painting is composed of medieval architecture that represents the city of Jerusalem. The ledge of the loggia bears an inscription from The Book of Isaiah.
this oi on wood painting is housed in the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
Christ Crucified
Artist: Murillo
1680
Painting
This poignant depiction of Christ on the Cross is an oil sketch that relates to a large painting in the Prado, Madrid. Murillo created a perfect focus for meditation: the sun has set, the cloudy sky is streaked with moonlight, and in the dim background Jerusalem can be seen.
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