Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Francisco de Zurbarán. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Accession no.
- 80084
- Credit line
- Robert A. Waller Memorial Fund
About this work
Overview
The Crucifixion is a painting in oil on canvas by Francisco de Zurbarán, created as part of a commissioned cycle of works for a Dominican monastery.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Christ on the cross, isolated against a dark background, his body dramatically lit to emphasize its three-dimensional form. The figure appears both idealized and humanized through its quiet beauty and individualized facial features.
Technique & Style
Zurbarán's use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, creates a powerful illusion of sculptural relief, drawing the viewer's attention to Christ's tense, bowed form.
History & Provenance
Commissioned in 1626 by the monastery of San Pablo el Real in Seville, Spain, the painting was installed in a dimly lit chapel, visible to visitors through a grill.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish Baroque painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio",…
