The elevation of the Cross of RUBENS: analysis and commentary [Summary!]

The elevation of the cross It is considered a Rubens masterpiece as it is a synthesis of the spirit of the Counter-Reformation at the beginning of the 17th century. A work that seeks to impress the viewer and thus reinforce his faith. Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) made this work between 1610-1611 after his stay in Italy, the influence of the Italian Renaissance and artists such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio or Tintoretto.

In this lesson at unPROFESOR.com we offer you a analysis and commentary The elevation of the cross to discover the keys by which it is considered a relevant work.

The elevation of the cross is a painting of Rubens which is located in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, in Belgium.

Originally, The elevation of the cross was painted for Church of St. Walburga, being financed by Cornelis van der Geest, a wealthy merchant and guardian of the church of St. Walburg. This work, along with another work by Rubens, was seized by Napoleon and taken to Paris. In 1815 it was returned to the cathedral, but when the Walburga cathedral was destroyed, the altarpiece passed to Our Lady of Antwerp.

In the St. Walburga Gothic Cathedral it was placed above the high altar at a considerable height, making it visible from a great distance in the vast. An unusual height for an altarpiece which reflects the importance of the work in the cathedral, in addition to being surrounded by images of God, Christ, some angels, and a golden wooden pelican, representation of the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A baroque scenery and impressive.

There is a smaller version located in the Art Gallery of Ontario in Canada; and another smaller one with a different composition is in the Louvre in Paris.

The work is a triptych which shows us three scenes whose main scene is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, specifically the moment of the elevation of the cross. An oil on panel board, with dimensions of 462 x 341 cm.

• In it left pane a blonde-haired woman is depicted in the foreground breastfeeding a naked baby, in the In the background there are three women, one looks at the ground, another observes the tragic scene while a child hug. The third woman looks directly at the viewer and behind her are a man in a cloak and tunic and a woman who looks melancholy towards the crucifixion. The figures are the royal monarchs, who find a certain macabre interest in the crucifixion, while the women, including the Virgin Mary, mourn and suffer before the scene they contemplate.
• In it center panel, Rubens represents the tragic and intense moment in which the cross of Jesus rises with him just nailed to it hand and foot. The cross is arranged diagonally, around ten muscular and strong men who are raising the cross. In the center, Christ is in great pain and looking heavenward for divine comfort. At the bottom is a dog.
• In it right panel six characters stand out, two centurions on horseback who are supervising the crucifixion. In the background appear the two thieves who are going to be crucified next to Christ. One is being nailed and another awaits his turn.
• In it reverse an old man and a young woman are represented, both placed on a pedestal adorned with angels.

The work has a clear influence of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque artists. Rubens is a Baroque artist of the Flemish school and he presents us with a religious work in which the drama and realism typical of this movement can be appreciated. The bodies and faces are very expressive and the bodies show great tension.

Between the main features stand out:

• The light dramatically focuses on the body of Jesus Christ, leaving some characters in the shadows.
• The composition It is marked by the use of diagonals, the main one being that of the body of Christ the Cross. The use of diagonals gives tension, dynamism and movement to the whole scene. A movement that is redoubled thanks to the tension of the muscular bodies of the men who raise the cross.
• The body of Christ appears foreshortened, that is, his body is in an oblique or perpendicular position to our visual level, like the figure of the dog. Some diagonals that also highlight the heads of the women, violent and tense gestures, as well as the wavy shapes and the folds of the clothes.
• The color is rich, with a wide color range with which Rubens gives dynamism and drama to the action, the use of chiaroscuro is added to the warm and cold to add tension.

According to critics, Rubens was inspired by the Tintoretto's Crucifixion, although marking even more the diagonal than the body of Christ and adding more drama. On the other hand, the powerful anatomy of the figures and the foreshortenings are clearly inspired by the work of Michelangelo, while the use of chiaroscuro refers us to the influence of Caravaggio.

With all this baggage, Rubens creates a baroque masterpiece for his restraint and mastery of composition and use of color and light. In addition, the Flemish master knew how to capture all the ideas of the Counter-Reformation and his desire to overwhelm the viewer.

This composition created by Rubens inspired many other painters, recreating itself in various very similar paintings throughout the entire field of Catholicism. The work spread thanks to its reproduction in engraving from 1638.