The artwork “Crucifixion Diptych,” created by Rogier van der Weyden in 1460, exemplifies the Northern Renaissance movement through its precise and emotive representation of a religious scene. This religious painting, housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA, USA, captures the poignant moment of the crucifixion of Christ.
The artwork is divided into two panels. On the right panel, Christ is depicted on the cross, his body emaciated and crowned with thorns. The stark, red background highlights the severity of his suffering. Beneath the cross lies a skull, symbolizing Golgotha, the place of the skull, and a white bone, adding a memento mori element to the piece. On the left panel, a sorrowful and somber Virgin Mary is supported by John the Apostle. Mary’s face is expressive of profound grief, her body draped in a soft blue robe in contrast to John’s white attire and the red background behind them. This use of muted yet contrasting colors enhances the emotional depth and solemnity of the scene depicted.
