Jesus' Crucifixion In Art

The symbol of Christ on the cross has infiltrated culture in innumerable ways, and depictions have become ubiquitous. There is no other subject matter that better reflects the historical progression of artistic expression. This is fitting, as there is no other event that has had comparable effect on all aspects of human history.

"The Crucifixion and Christs's Death: Longinus Piercing Christ's Side"
Artist: Jan Provoost
1514
Painting

Longinus is the name given to the unnamed Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a lance; who in medieval and some modern Christian traditions is described as a convert to Christianity. His name first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. The lance is called in Christianity the "Holy Lance" (lancea) and the story is related in the Gospel of John during the Crucifixion. This act is said to have created the last of the Five Holy Wounds of Christ.

This oil on panel measures height: 117 cm (46 in) ; width: 172.5 cm (67.9 in) and is housed in the Groeningemuseum Musea in Bruges, Belgium

This painting is oil on canvas,measures 117 x 172.5 cms | 46 x 67 3/4 ins and is housed in the Groeninge Museum in

Brugge, Belgium.

"The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb"
Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
1521
Painting

In this panel, Holbein has created a life-size image of Christ, lying in his tomb. The greenish hue to the skin, in particular around the wounds on the hand, feet and torso, as well as on his face suggest the putrefaction of flesh and results in an almost grotesque image. Rather than creating a sense of calm or peace, the mouth and eyes are shown wide open, so that the pain endured on the cross seems to continue into the tomb. These elements emphasize Christ's humanity over his divine status and this is compounded by the unnaturally stretched and emaciated body being confined in an uncomfortably narrow space, imbuing it with an uneasy claustrophobia.

This oil and tempera painting on lime wood is in the Öffentliche Kunstsammlung, Basel, Switzerland

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