Sunday, December 5, 2010

Elevation of the Cross, Rubens


Relying on chiaroscuro to create the dramatic effect of the events taking place, Rubens shows the symbolic weight of all the world's sins upon Christ crucified. The size and muscles of the men trying to lift the body of Jesus would seem enough normally. It is their well-painted struggle to elevate and move him that drives home to weight of the world that was literally weighing on the Savior. 

I feel like Rubens paints his men like he paints his women, though trading voluptuous curves for hardened musculatures. 

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