Baroque Art Work of Elevation of the Cross
This is a magnificent, huge, beautiful work of art. The Elevation of the Cross, shows the painting of our Lord Jesus Christ being crucified on a cross. This grand painting was painted by a Flemish painter, Peter Paul Rubens in 1610. The painting is 15 feet high and 21 feet wide. It was painted with oil on wood, it has two outer wings one on both sides. These also have a grand painting of saints on the left side and a painting of Christians being persecuted on the right side. It is a very powerful painting which contains great detail. This huge painting once had an original, beautiful frame but it has since then disappeared.
Many of these religious paintings and statues nearly got destroyed by protestants, they believed that these items should not be used in the churches. The Council of Trent, under the Roman Catholic Church, supported the churches. They allowed the churches to use these religious paintings and statutes in their religious churches. So, many of these sacred items were saved to this day. Many of these items are in churches, museums and in private collections.
In this painting, Elevation of the Cross, the cross that is tilted, it is showing the movement of the cross as it was being raised. The painting is showing that the men are helping each other raise the cross at that moment. The painted colors and lighting shows that Jesus is the center of the painting. The men around Jesus are bright, which may be to show what is really happening. The background is darkened maybe to show the seriousness of the situation, also the back-ground has a lot of beautiful green trees and vines. It looks like the moon is shining on the background giving it a realistic look. The shapes of the men in this painting are painted in great detail that make it look very real. All the characters are life like and their facial expressions show that they are very stern.
There are many colors that shows the painting in detail, it looks like I am right there at that moment. This painting is very powerful and moving.
According to the Holy Bible, in Matthew 27-28, it is important that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save mankind from their sins and he rose from the dead on the third day. Many, many people believe that he did this supernatural event and they believe in him. This powerful painting shows that Jesus Christ was crucified once. I have seen many pictures of the crucifixion of Jesus but not as grand and huge as this magnificent master piece!
I personally would not get a copy of crucifixion of Jesus. It is very emotional to me for see it, but I am impressed by this beautiful painting. I am in awe about these great paintings and statues from the past. I am glad it all survived throughout the centuries.
Holy Bible KJV, Matthew 27-28
https://smarthistory.org/peter-paul-rubens-elevation-of-the-cross/.
You gave such a powerful insight into Rubens' "Elevation of the Cross." What appeals to me most is the vivid description of the painting's size and detail, which really brings it to life. The way you focus on the movement of the cross and the expressions of the figures adds a sense of urgency and emotion that makes the viewer feel the weight of the moment.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the theme, the relationship between art and religious experience is undeniable here. This painting not only serves as a representation of a pivotal moment in Christian history but also reflects the broader struggle to preserve religious art during times of conflict. It’s fascinating how art has been a means of conveying and preserving faith, especially through the Council of Trent’s support for such works.
Additionally, your thoughts on the historical context add depth to the post. Understanding the challenges these artworks faced, like the threat of destruction during the Reformation, helps deepen our appreciation for them today. It makes me think about the ongoing importance of preserving cultural heritage in all its forms, especially in a world where art can still provoke such strong reactions. Overall, your insight on this piece encourages a deeper exploration of how art interacts with faith and history.