Stories Of ArtExemplo

The Crucifixion is a part of the Isenheim altarpiece (1512-1516) made by Matthias Gruenewald. In the center a flayed Jesus is pictured. His fingers are cramped and an oversized crown of thorns is pressed on His head so blood is streaming down His face. His mouth is open and His tongue is visible. His whole body is showing signs of the torture He went through. On top of the cross is a sign which states the reason for His execution: INRI = "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaerum" which is "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews".

On the right John the baptist is visible. He never attended the crucifixion, because he was executed before that. But he counts as the last prophet of the Old Testament and the harbinger for Jesus. His over length index finger, the Old Testament on his left and the inscription “He must become greater; I must become less.“ (John 3,30) indicate his function as harbinger. On his right at the bottom is a symbolic version of Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who is slaughtered. 

On the left Mary, mother of Jesus is shown in the arms of John the disciple. Her eyes are closed and her hands are folded. Without Johns support she would fall to the ground unconscious. Johns face is showing grief. Next to them Mary Magdalene is kneeling with a vessel of ointment. She, too, lifts her hands in a praying position towards the crucified and is desperate.

Matthias Gruenewald shows the crucifixion very brutally. Here God suffers in Jesus Christ excruciating. He is no distant God. Why is He doing something like this? Paul answers: He is carrying my guilt. (Colossians 2:13-14)