MASTERPIECE

Grief. That is what this work is about. But how do you portray such a strong emotion? The maker of this work did so by limiting himself to its essence. We see a weeping Mary and Christ, her son who died on the cross and who is the source of her grief. Tears stream down Mary’s cheeks. The whites of her eyes are red, betraying the fact that she has already cried a lot. The crossing of her arms in front of her breast further expresses her feelings. Christ’s hands are also crossed. The wounds on his hands and the crown of thorns are the result of the cruel treatment he endured before his death, but that is not what is emphasized here. As the life leaves his body – his lips are blue and his eyes are closed – Christ is almost serene.

By zooming in on mother and son, the painter brings them very close to the viewer. The result is an image that makes you, as a believer, mourn with Mary, for Christ or perhaps also for someone else you know. At the same time, Christ’s resurrection after death gives hope, which is a comforting thought.