Crucifixion of Christ

The crucifixion is represented on the tempera painting on the left wing. Left and right of the cross are the historical witnesses of the event, Mary and John. The depiction follows the New Testament account of the crucifixion with emphasis on its symbolic character.

Christ hangs from a T-shaped cross, attached by 3 nails. There is no crown of thorns, but the wounds it leaves behind form a crown of blood. The loin cloth reaches to the knee and is wrapped tightly. Angels with communion cups are catching Christ’s blood and chocks have been used to anchor the cross to the hill. The skull of Adam is recognisable in a small cove, Christ’s blood flowing down to the progenitor as a symbol of redemption.

A grieving John stands in the group of figures on the right, next to him a Roman captain. e has a halLike the 4 women in the other group John has a halo, his hand on his cheek in the traditional gesture of sorrow. The captain points to Jesus on the cross, with a scroll that reads, ‘VERE FILIUS DEI ERAT ISTE’ (‘this has truly been the Son of God’).

A small figure in a white canon’s habit kneels at the foot of the cross. The facial features are those of a mature man with stubble and tonsure. Between his folded hands he holds a scroll bearing the psalm verse MISERERE MEI DEUS (‘Oh God, have mercy on mine’). It’s clear by the inscription STEPHANUS PRAEPOSITUS that Provost Stephan von Sierndorf is raising a monument to the time the paintings are created.