Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis
April 18, 2014
G.D.O'Bradovich III
depictions
The following depictions of the Crucifixion are arranged chronologically.
table
The following table organizes the previous information.
Artist
Florence, 1240-1300 Unknown, 14th century Guido de Sienna, 1270's Giotto, 1305 Giotto, 1310 Masaccio, 1426 Unknown, 1428-50 Castagno, c1441 van der Weyden, c1445 Messina, 1454-55 Unknown, c1487 Lieferinxe, 1493-1508 Grunewalde, 1513-16 van Heemskerck, 1543 |
Cross
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 3 3 1 1 3 |
Onlookers
Multiple, 5 Two Multiple,9-10 Multiple,10+ Multiple, 10+ Multiple, 3 Multiple, 10+ Two Multiple, 6 Multiple, 5 Multiple, 10+ Two Multiple, 4 Multiple, 20+ |
Thieves
No No No No No No No Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes |
Soldiers
No No No Yes? No No No No No No Yes No No Yes |
Notes
Jesus' tunic shown to viewer Horses present Horses present |
discussion
Single crucifixions were the standard until the 15th century. Thieves are shown in three paintings in the 15th century (c1441,1454-55 and c1487).
The vast majority of the paintings show multiple onlookers. Only 3 of the 14 paintings have two witnesses.
The 1305 depiction by Giotto is the only painting to show Jesus' tunic.
Soldiers may be depicted by Giotto, 1305, but it is not certain. The first definitive depictions of soldiers is c1487.
Except for one painting (1426, Jesus looks to the viewer), all show Jesus looking to the left.
It is interesting that horses were not shown until 1487. One horse is brown and the other horse is white. In 1543, three colors of horses are shown: brown (3), white (2) and black (1).
The vast majority of the paintings show multiple onlookers. Only 3 of the 14 paintings have two witnesses.
The 1305 depiction by Giotto is the only painting to show Jesus' tunic.
Soldiers may be depicted by Giotto, 1305, but it is not certain. The first definitive depictions of soldiers is c1487.
Except for one painting (1426, Jesus looks to the viewer), all show Jesus looking to the left.
It is interesting that horses were not shown until 1487. One horse is brown and the other horse is white. In 1543, three colors of horses are shown: brown (3), white (2) and black (1).
conclusion
It would appear that from the 14th century to the 16th century, more information and more elements became available for the artist to depict: thieves, soldiers, onlookers and horses.
A possible reason for variable number of elements is that the story of the crucifixion was evolving and there were no fixed canon of depictions. Indeed, in the Western Church, there is no standard iconography for the Crucifixion to this day.
Other crucifixions:
A possible reason for variable number of elements is that the story of the crucifixion was evolving and there were no fixed canon of depictions. Indeed, in the Western Church, there is no standard iconography for the Crucifixion to this day.
Other crucifixions:
Piu Tempo Non Ho or The Time of the Crucifixion
Apprentice Tyler examines the use of time in the Gospel narratives.