Christ Carrying the Cross by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
The subject of the painting is Christ's carrying of the cross to the hill of Golgotha, which rises up in the centre of the picture as a tall rock, the crosses already erected upon it. Directly beneath it in the foreground we see Christ in a flame red robe. He has collapsed under the heavy weight of the cross. To the right, Veronica, holding the sudarium, turns away from the dramatic scene, visibly moved. To the left, the two thieves likewise condemned to crucifixion are being led forward. In the exact centre of the picture, between Christ's cross and the hill of Golgotha, and directly facing the viewer, are the figures of Jesus' disciples, together with Mary and Mary Magdalene. Brightly illuminated, they stand out symbolically from the other figures.
Details
- Artist
- Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
- Created
- c. 1738
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Dimension
- 88cm × 79cm
- Passage
- Mark 15:16-27
- Housed at
- Gemäldegalerie der Staatlichen Museen Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz, Berlin
Found in: Mark, Mark 15, 18th century, Carrying of the cross
Mark 15:16-27
16 The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
18 They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19 They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
20 When they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.
21 They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
22 They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”
23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.
24 Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.
25 It was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
27 With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.
Mark 15:16-27 · World English Bible
The artist
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
1696 - 1770
Venice, Italy
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (March 5, 1696 – March 27, 1770), also known as Gianbattista or Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the "Rococo" style. He was prolific, and worked not only in Italy, but also in Germany and Spain.