The Crucifixion
1550
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This painting shows a man nailed to a cross at the center, surrounded by a crowd. The man on the cross has a crown of thorns and his arms spread wide. Around him, soldiers in armor and hats stand or watch, while others hold spears. Some people in the crowd look sad or scared, and a few are praying. A ladder leans against the cross, and a skull lies on the ground near the bottom. The sky is dark and dramatic, with a bright cloth floating above the man on the cross. The colors are mostly muted, but the red and gold in some clothing stand out. Look up *chiaroscuro* next to see how light and shadow create drama in paintings.
