Christ on the Cross

Christ on the Cross

German 15th Century

1485

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a somber scene of Christ on the cross, flanked by two figures. The central figure, Christ, is shown with his arms outstretched and his head tilted to one side, his body bearing the wounds of crucifixion. To his left stands a woman, likely Mary, her hands clasped together in prayer as she gazes up at Christ. On the right, a man, possibly John, looks on with a contemplative expression. The background of the painting is a muted, earthy tone, which serves to emphasize the somber mood of the scene. The use of tarnished silver or gold alloy leaf adds a touch of luxury and reverence to the image. The artist's use of woodcut techniques creates a sense of texture and depth in the painting, drawing the viewer's eye to the intricate details of the scene. For more information on this technique, explore the art of woodcut.

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