Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis
G.D.O'Bradovich III
April 18, 2014
The following depictions of the Crucifixion are arranged chronologically.
Florence, 1240-1300
Unknown, 14th century
Guido of Siena, 1270's
Giotto, 1305
Jesus' tunic is being shown in the lower right.
Soldiers may be present.
Jesus' tunic is being shown in the lower right.
Soldiers may be present.
Giotto, c1310
Masaccio, 1426
Unknown Master, active 1428-1450
Castagno, c1441
Van der Weyden, c1445
Messina, 1454-55
Master of the Virgo inter Virgines, c 1487
Notice the manner in which the thieves are on their crosses.
Notice the manner in which the thieves are on their crosses.
Lieferinxe (working ca 1493–1503/08)
Grunewald, 1512-16
Once again, the an artist did not know that John the Baptist was beheaded at the time of the Crucifixion. For more information on the confusion in depictions of John the Baptist, use this link.
Once again, the an artist did not know that John the Baptist was beheaded at the time of the Crucifixion. For more information on the confusion in depictions of John the Baptist, use this link.
van Heemskerck, 1543
The two thieves are crucified on trees.
The two thieves are crucified on trees.
The following table will organize the information that has been presented.
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 |
Crucifixion (s)
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 Soldiers
Yes? No Yes? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 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 paintins 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.
Soldiers may be depicted by Giotto, 1305, but it is not certain. The first definitive depictions of soldiers is c1487.
Except for one painting, all show Jesus looking to the left. In the 1426 painting, Jesus is looking ahead.
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 were available for the artist to depict.
A possible reason for variable number of elements is that the crucifixion story 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
Single crucifixions were the standard until the 15th century. Thieves are shown in three paintins 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.
Soldiers may be depicted by Giotto, 1305, but it is not certain. The first definitive depictions of soldiers is c1487.
Except for one painting, all show Jesus looking to the left. In the 1426 painting, Jesus is looking ahead.
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 were available for the artist to depict.
A possible reason for variable number of elements is that the crucifixion story 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.