The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion, a painting by Quentin Matsys, dates from 1515-1600. It is housed in the National Gallery. The painting measures 0.584 meters in width and 0.902 meters in height.

The artwork depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus is centrally positioned on the cross, his body realistically rendered. He wears a crown of thorns and a loincloth. The cross is set against a landscape background featuring a hilly terrain, a distant town or castle, and figures in the foreground.

Three women are prominently featured at the base of the cross. One woman is kneeling, her arms raised towards Jesus in a gesture of supplication. Another woman stands to the left, dressed in blue, appearing to be in mourning. A third woman, dressed in darker clothing, is also present, seemingly observing the scene. A fourth woman kneels to the right, her hands covering her face. A skull is visible on the ground near the base of the cross. In the background, there are other figures, possibly onlookers or soldiers, adding to the narrative of the scene. The sky is a light blue with fluffy white clouds. The overall style is characteristic of Northern Renaissance painting, with attention to detail in both the figures and the landscape.