User:NayaArtHistory/Crucifixion Triptych

Crucifixion Triptych
Year	c. 1443–1445
Location	Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

The Crucifixion Triptych is an altarpiece of c. 1443–1445 by Rogier van der Weyden, now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The central scene shows the Crucifixion of Christ, with the Virgin Mary embracing the foot of the cross as she mourns, John the Evangelist depicted in the red robe, placing his hand in her back in comfort and the painting's two donors kneeling to the right. On the left-hand side panel isolated is Mary Magdalene, while on the right side panel is Saint Veronica holding an image of Christ. A unified landscape background across all three panels shows a skyline Jerusalem in the distance.

Stylistic Choices

This piece was made with the intention of becoming a triptych, despite that it was painted as one panel piece and then later cut. You can see this intention because Rogier Van Der Weyden had painted delicate golden frames onto the paintings themselves.

Centrally depicted between the two side wings, is the Crucifixion scene. Mother Mary is shown wearing lapis blue and a pure white head covering. To her left shown consoling her is Saint John, wearing a vibrant red covering gazing up towards Jesus on the cross.

The two figures to the right of the cross below Jesus’s feet are the patrons, separated only by a small crack in the earth. This depiction separates the worldly from the heavenly while still encompassing them into the scene. This provided an ability for the viewer and patron to create a prayer aid to make it easier to place the viewer into mentally see themselves and experience the scene .

Rogier van der Weyden, a Flemish painter, illustrated this image in a typical northern style. This style is characterized through this work. The Virgin Mary  for example shown gripping the cross below Jesus’s pierced feet. She is shown with intense emotions, caressing her cheek against the bloody wood as she mourns, as her arms grip around the cross, the weight of her sorrow is depicted in the falling motion of her body. Her face flushed red and tears rolled down her face. This intensification of emotion is distinctive of the Northern style.

Mary Magdalene depicted on the left panel piece is shown isolated and  sorrowfully looking down whilst she holds a small jar. The jar holds ointment for Christ’s feet. While on the right Veronica is depicted holding the cloth is believed to wipe the face of Christ when he was carrying the cross to his crucifixion. It renders an image of Jesus’s face in a realistic, idealism style and is thought to have magically appeared as she displays it for the viewer. She holds this cloth with such pose and softness. Her face angled downward to look at his face and ache.

Rogier Weyden’s workshop specialized in the northern style of painting with a distinct focus on the precision of his depictions. His depictions have a focus on intense emotion illustrated in a hyperrealist fashion. He was influenced by Robert Campin’s workshop in many ways and adapted that into his paintings while having his own developed sense of style . You are able to see Rogier distinguished separation from his influence through this painting.

Robert Campin - St.Veronica

This independence of style is shown in this version of the Crucifixion in portrayal of St. Veronica . He makes a conscious and distinctively different decision in his depiction of Mary Magdalene and St. Veronica. St. Veronica is commonly depicted as older , displaying physical features of aging like wrinkles, but that is not done in this rendering. She is shown here on the right holding the cloth marked with the True Image of God and no visible signs of excessive aging. Her skin is clear and smooth as she holds her cloth with such gentle grace and poise. This depiction of youth is more commonly seen with the depiction of Mary Magdalene. On the left side of the Crucifiction triptych by Rogier he makes another independent decision to illustrate the Magdalene isolated and slightly aged to look older . this depiction of Mary Magdalene is also something Rogier would claim as distinctively his style in this painting. Assuming a polar role to the more youthful depiction she is usually assigned. Establishing his style in this image by opposing tritonal depictions of these two women.

Rogier van der Weyden - St. veronica, Crucifixion Triptych

Biblical Iconography

This illustration holds classic Crucifixion iconography. The most notable characteristic being Christ pinned to a cross, in this image wearing only a loincloth. This cloth is made from simplistic fabrics, rarely ever expensive. It is shown flowing in and angelic like pattern appearing almost as if its floating. This unrealistic movement is to signal to the viewer that he is otherworldly or of heavenly. He is devoted here with soft, pale and supple skin yet his body appears to be so thin almost in a malnourished state.

(Edit: Angels. Jerusalem )

Symbolism

This image is believed to hold great symbolism in its landscape from the green rolling hills to the gradient blue sky. The gradient sky reflects the dark navy blue back onto the angels flooring on the same plane as Jesus’s upper body. The angels scaled one the same plane as the Christ’s body, depicting them closer to the heavens and over all that is earthly.

Jerusalem is depicted far back into the landscape in an idealized fashion. Rogier van der Weyden influenced by the contemporary northern style.paints this complex city with its influence in mind. The city is vibrant and feels alive, from the gothic styled windows to dome like structures.

Patronage

The exact patronage of this piece is unknown. But considering Rogier Van Der Weyden is known to establish himself as the official painter of the court for Brussels , inheriting Jan Van Eyke’s painting position . It is assumed his commissions transferred from his clientele. These would include those of the bourgeois, noblest, and courtiers.

Crucifixtion Triptych - Patrons Rogier Van Der Weyden

The two donors are shown on the right on the cross. Still depicted in the central frame of the triptych they are shown separated from the main scene only by a physical crack in the earth. This separation is meant to signal to the viewer that there is still a distinction from the holy or otherworldly and create a clear distinction between the holy scene and their earthly connection . The male donor engages in the physical action of gazing towards the scene of the Crucifixion itself. While the female donor is engaging in an inner spiritual experience of the holy scene.