The Descent from the Cross, 1652, Rembrandt's workshop by Natasja Tollenaar

About "The Descent from the Cross, 1652, Rembrandt's workshop"

by Natasja Tollenaar

About the artwork

The lifeless body of a bearded young man, partially wrapped in an ivory cloth, is lowered from a cross to a group of people at its foot in this vertical painting. All the people have peachy or pale skin and most are dressed in creamy white and shades of brown. The body and head of the dead man, Jesus, slump to our left, with eyes closed and mouth open. His arms and hands are streaked red and drops of blood dot his head. Two men on ladders standing against the back of the cross reach over the top crossbar and a man to our right holds Jesus's left wrist. A long white cloth is draped over the crossbeam and falls around Jesus'hips. Two other men stand on ladders on either side of the cross, one with his arm around Jesus'torso while the other reaches forward to hold a torch that dramatically illuminates the group of bodies. An elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a scarlet tunic, stands in front and cradles Jesus' hips and legs as he is lowered. Six people stand to the right of the old man and the cross. A bright light falls on the face of a pale, elderly woman. Her eyes are closed, her mouth open and her arms limp as she is captured by the people around her. The men in the group wear hats and the women's heads are covered with scarves. From the shadows to the left of the cross, near the edge of the painting, a woman's pale face peers into the scene. The landscape behind the cross and group is deep in shadow, but rusty brown streaks form the horizon in the distance.

The painting is possibly by the hand of Constantijn van Renesse.