2-977-929 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Calvary, c.1520. This monumental painting contains seven scenes from the Passion spread over four levels. In the foreground are the soldiers dicing for Christ’s cloak (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:23; Luke 23:24; John 19:23-24), the mocking of Christ (Matthew 26:67; Mark 14: 65; Luke 22:63) and the flagellation (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:16; John 19:1). On the next level up there is a group of soldiers with the two thieves sentenced to be crucified with Christ (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:32-33; John 19:18). In the centre is the swooning Virgin, who is being supported by John and one of her sisters. On the third level, Christ and one of the thieves are hanging on their crosses, while the third one is being hoisted into position (Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33; John 19:18). In the distant background is the carrying of the cross, just outside the gate to Jerusalem (Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17). Some of the events depicted are not mentioned in the Bible, such as the Virgin swooning, boring holes in the cross, the pole with a sponge drenched in sour wine which the high priest Annas is handing to a man, and Pilate mounted on a horse holding a rolled-up piece of paper on which he had written the letters ‘INRI’, which was later attached to the cross.