Columban Art Guide - April 2014

Descent from the Cross detail of, Deposition of Christ by Rogier van der Weyden (c.1399-1464)

The Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden painted this hauntingly beautiful painting of The Descent from the Cross to decorate the altar in the chapel of the confraternity of Archers in the Flemish city of Louvain. The familiar subject in late medieval art recalls the moment alluded to in the gospels when Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross. The harrowing scene takes place in a narrow stage-like space. Constrained into this shallow space, the figures move with awkward, even distorted poses. The unease and tension suggested by the figures’ physical limitation of space and movement evokes for the viewer the states of mind of those present at the Crucifixion. Christ’s lifeless body appears suspended before the viewer’s gaze. The arrangement of His body, tilted forward and stretching across the right half of the picture may seem unnecessarily awkward until we note the echoing movement in the Virgin’s pose. Rogier employs the mirror-like poses of Jesus and His mother to dramatise for the spectator the depth of Mary’s compassionate identification with her Son’s suffering and death. Other figures likewise reveal their anguish through gestures and visual details which render sorrow with almost shocking realism. Only the tiny trickle of blood flowing from Christ’s side wound hints beyond the Passion to the Resurrection.

Art Guide Resource

The 2014 Art Guide has been compiled by Claire Renkin, well-known art historian and lecturer at Yarra Theological Union and has been recorded by Dr. Rachael Kohn, author and public speaker, most well known for her ABC Radio National program, 'The Spirit of Things'. Music by Chris Zabriskie (chriszabriskie.com). Artworks © Bridgeman Images.

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