Снятие с креста Рубенса: Величие и скорбь

Painting by Peter Paul Rubens

The Descent from the Cross is the central panel of a triptych painting by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens in 1612–1614. It is still in its original place, the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium. The painting is considered to be one of Rubens' masterpieces. The painting depicts the moment when the body of Jesus Christ is taken down from the cross after his crucifixion. The subject was one Rubens returned to again and again in his career. The artwork was commissioned on September 7, 1611, by the Confraternity of the Arquebusiers, whose patron saint was St. Christopher.

In general, the painting has its origins in the Italian artistic tradition, influenced by the Mannerist style of artists such as Francesco Salviati, Federico Barocci, Jacopino del Conte, Cigoli, and Daniele da Volterra. These artists may have been inspired by the ideas of Michelangelo and earlier examples from the fifteenth century. However, Rubens' painting stands apart from the dramatic Italian artists in its depiction of the ritualistic and solemn lowering of Christ's body from the Cross into the arms of the believers. In 1794, the occupying French army removed this painting and The Elevation of the Cross and sent them to the Louvre. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars his defeat, they were returned to the cathedral in 1815. Along with The Elevation of The Cross, The Descent From The Cross was stolen again in 1914 by the Imperial German Army and taken to Berlin, where both triptychs were kept in the Berlin Palace until after the Armistice of November 11, 1918 when they were returned to the Cathedral.

In The Descent from the Cross, Rubens highlights the triumphant element of the cross. The painting depicts the moment when Christ's body is taken down from the cross, and is similarly full of drama and emotion. The figures in the painting are depicted with exaggerated expressions of grief and sadness, emphasizing the emotional impact of Christ's death. The painting invites the viewer to reflect on the importance of Christ's sacrifice and to deepen their emotional devotion to him. The image serves to remind the faithful of Christ's divine nature. Mary's role as a co Redeemer was emphasized, in contrast to Protestants who limited or even denied the importance of honoring Mary. Unlike The Descent from the Cross (van der Weyden), Christ's body is lowered down carefully by group of men. Ruben uses the white shroud that is around Christ’s body, to make it more complicated.

The Descent from the Cross, also known as the Deposition of Christ, is a subject in Christian art that is based on several passages in the Bible. The main scriptural basis for this subject can be found in the Gospels of Matthew (Mt. 27: 57 60), Gospels of Mark (Mk. 15:43 46), Gospels of Luke (Lk. 23:50 53), and Gospels of John (Jn. 19:38 42), which describe the events surrounding Jesus' death and burial. There was a man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who is a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate granted his request. Joseph proceeded to wrap the body in a clean linen cloth,and placed it in a tomb that he had carved from rock.

Outside the shutters of the triptych, Ruben illustrates the guild's patron, Christopher, or Christophorus, "Christ bearer", carrying the Christ across the stream, and the Hermit. Inside the panel, the central of the triptych depicts the body of Christ being lowered from the cross by a group of men. The Visitation, Mary who is carrying Christ Child, is described on the left panel. The Presentation in the Temple, The old man Simeon hold the Child in his arm is described on the right panel. The Descent from the Cross is divided into three sections, each depicting a different scene. The Descent features two scenes on the sides that are set in distinct architectural environments.