The Descent from the Cross (Rubens, 1612–1614)
[1] However, Rubens' painting stands apart from the dramatic Italian artists in its depiction of the ritualistic and solemn lowering of Christ's body from the Cross into the arms of the believers.The figures in the painting are depicted with exaggerated expressions of grief and sadness, emphasizing the emotional impact of Christ's death.[4] Rubens transformed the representation of the Virgin from a portrayal of frailty and agony to one of fortitude and bravery based on the Gospel of Saint John (Jn.19:25).It combines the popular story of a devout giant carrying the baby Jesus on his back across a river with a representation that emphasizes humanistic ennoblement.[8] Outside the shutters of the triptych, Ruben illustrates the guild's patron, Christopher, or Christophorus, "Christ-bearer", carrying the Christ across the stream, and the Hermit.These scenes share a common theme of the beginning of Christ's life, which stands in contrast to the central panel that portrays his end.[4] The focal point of the painting is in the center panel, which portrays a group of interlocking figures arranged in an elliptical shape around the lifeless body of Jesus.Nicodemus is shown above them on the ladder, while two men leaning over the crossbar are lowering Jesus' body, with one holding the winding sheet between his teeth to free his hands.After the sacrifice of Calvary, as it is called in Scripture, the sad, dark sky is crossed by a light that illumines the shoulders of the workmen, whose bold posture recalls the composition by Daniele da Volterra.
Peter Paul RubensCathedral of Our LadyAntwerptriptychCathedral of Our Lady, AntwerpBelgiumJesus ChristSt. ChristopherFrancesco SalviatiFederico BarocciJacopino del ConteCigoliDaniele da VolterraMichelangeloThe Elevation of the CrossLouvreNapoleonic WarsImperial German ArmyBerlin PalaceArmistice of November 11, 1918Counter-ReformationLife of the VirginLife of ChristCouncil of TrentVirginGospel of Saint JohnCounter Reformation CatholicismFourteen Holy HelpersSaint ChristopherThe Descent from the Cross (van der Weyden)Christian artGospels of MatthewGospels of MarkGospels of LukeGospels of JohnJosephPilateThe VisitationThe Presentation in the TempleVirgin MaryNicodemusMary MagdalenMary CleophasVisitationDescent from the CrossPresentation of Jesus at the TempleThe Descent from the Cross (Rubens, 1617)Palais des Beaux-Arts de LilleThe Descent from the Cross (Rubens)Courtauld GalleryThe Descent from the Cross (Rubens, 1618)Hermitage MuseumTrinità dei MontiThe Descent from the CrossLeda and the SwanThe DepositionSelf-Portrait in a Circle of Friends from MantuaEquestrian Portrait of the Duke of LermaPortrait of a Young WomanHercules and OmphaleHeraclitus and DemocritusVirgin and ChildThe Fall of PhaetonThe Baptism of ChristThe Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Holy TrinityTransfigurationThe CircumcisionPortrait of Marchesa Brigida Spinola-DoriaPortrait of Maria di Antonio SerraPortrait of a Noblewoman with an AttendantPortrait of Giovanni Carlo Doria on HorsebackSaint Gregory with SaintsMadonna della VallicellaSusanna and the EldersThe Head of Saint John the Baptist Presented to SalomeAdoration of the MagiSamson and DelilahHoneysuckle BowerCoronation of the VirginJuno and ArgusRaising of the CrossConversion of Saint PaulMassacre of the InnocentsVenus FrigidaPrometheus BoundThe Four PhilosophersAntwerp ResurrectionRoman CharityEcce HomoSaint Teresa of Ávila's Vision of the Holy SpiritThe Tribute MoneyThe Defeat of SennacheribThe Four ContinentsChrist Giving the Keys to Saint PeterPortrait of a CommanderThe Crowning of the Virtuous HeroThe Incredulity of Saint ThomasThe Death of AdonisVenus and AdonisSt SebastianThe Virgin Mary and Saint Francis Saving the World from Christ's AngerMadonna della CestaIxion, King of the Lapiths, Deceived by Juno, Who He Wished to SeduceDaniel in the Lions' DenBacchanaliaA Statue of CeresThe Hippopotamus and Crocodile HuntThe Tiger HuntTheodosius and Saint AmbroseThe Wild Boar HuntFlorence ResurrectionThe Virgin and Child Surrounded by the Holy InnocentsErichthonius Discovered by the Daughters of CecropsThe Wolf and Fox HuntThe Lion and Leopard HuntRomulus and RemusMiracles of St. Francis XavierSaint Stephen TriptychTwo Women with a CandleThe Meeting Between Abraham and MelchizedekChrist and the Penitent SinnersMars and Rhea SilviaThe Garden of Eden with the Fall of ManThe Great Last JudgementA Bearded ManThe Five Senses