The Crucifixion

In the course of years, Hans von Aachen worked on the composition of Crucifixion several times. The very first version of this composition was a lost painting,   In the first version of the Crucifixion John is looking up the cross in a mild, yet pleading gesture.  In the second version he is standing below the cross with his arms stretched out. The monumental gesture of John’s arms is copied by the S-shaped posture of his body.  This third version of the painting combines the motifs of the two earlier versions. 

This painting depicts the crucifixion of Christ witnessed by his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene plus soldiers Centurion and two criminal crucified one on either side of Jesus..

This painting is held in a private collection in Berlin, Germany.