How does this artwork elucidate its Visual analysis?
This altarpiece is an early attempt by Ruben's to employ the intensity of the Baroque style. The three panels together work harmoniously, creating a continuous scene. The setting is dark and restless as the group of spectators, soldiers, horses, and the strained bodies of the executioners surround the soon-to-be crucified Christ.Jesus Christ and the elevation of his cross are the focal points for this artwork, with features of the story overflowing from the middle panel onto the wings on both sides. The central panel illustrates a tension between the multitude of massively muscled men attempting to lift the cross and the seemingly unbearable weight of Christ on the cross. Christ's suffering is made apparent in his strained and tense body, hands clenched tight around the nails in his hands, and his head contorted in the last moments of agonizing pain. Jesus' body is a picture of classical nobility; with arms raised and gaze turned upward, Rubens emphasizes Christ's willing sacrifice over the horrors of his crucifixion. Christ looks up and asks his Father, who was depicted above the triptych, for forgiveness for his tormentors: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)The thieves in the left wing of Jesus are being prepared for execution as the Roman officers issue their orders. In the right wing, the women on the road (Luke 23:28) respond to Christ's plea for forgiveness, reliving figure by figure the stages of repentance: fearfulness, contrition, hope, and charity toward the Savior. The Virgin and Saint John are identified above them, deeply moved, reflecting on the meaning of the raising of the cross and Christ's plea for forgiveness.The Elevation of the Cross is an accurate biblical representation of the crucifixion of Christ, in keeping with the specific guidelines for art as produced by the Council of Trent. Rubens emanates the spirit of the catholic reform by representing the victorious nature of Christ's death while maintaining his divine nature. Rubens's visual argument on human sin, judgment, the elevation of the cross, the plea for forgiveness, and the acts of penitence, follows Johannes Herolt's collection of sermons from 1435, widely used in Rubens' time. Rubens contrasts the uniqueness of Christ's plea for forgiveness with quotations from ancient depictions of the vengeance of the gods (Laocoon, Niobids, Farnese Bull).The high altar of St. Walburga rises high above an ancient Holy Sepulchre chapel restored in 1613. Thus, Rubens' "Erection of the Cross" reenacts the journey from the Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the erection of the Holy Cross in the Golgotha Chapel located above.Rubens also paints the outside of the wings, illustrating four saints that were venerated in Flanders during this time period. On the far left stands St. Amandus clothed impressively in bishop robes, with St. Walburga positioned alongside him. On the right outer wing stands Saint Catherine of Alexandria, accompanied by Saint Eligius. On the socles, garlands of fruit announce the fruits that Christ's raising of the cross and plea for forgiveness earn for the believers.
Laocoon Jesus Saint John Christ St. Walburga Council of Trent Catherine of Alexandria Farnese Bull catholic reform Baroque triptych Virgin Jesus Christ Niobids Rubens Flanders Saint Catherine of Alexandria Saint Eligius