The artwork titled “Crucifixion (back side)” was created by Orthodox Icons around the year 1350. It is a prime exemplar of the Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which spanned from circa 1261 to 1453. This piece belongs to the icon genre and is part of the “Passion of Jesus” series. Presently, the artwork is housed at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, Greece.
This religious icon depicts the moment of Christ’s crucifixion, rendered with the distinct stylistic elements of the Late Byzantine period. At the center of the composition, Jesus Christ is nailed to the cross, his head inclined towards his right shoulder, symbolizing his suffering and sacrifice. The cross is set against a golden background which imbues the scene with a divine atmosphere. On the left side of the artwork stands the Virgin Mary, draped in deep blue robes, her form accentuated by delicate, intricate patterns that signify her sorrow and reverence. Her head is bowed, and she gazes up towards her son in deep lamentation. Opposite her, on the right, stands St. John the Apostle, similarly rendered in sorrowful contemplation, his head resting on his hand, clad in brown and blue garments. The figures are set against a minimally detailed background with what appear to be small, angular representations of buildings or structures, adding to the icon’s sacred ambiance. The balance and harmony of the composition, coupled with the solemn expressions and postures of the figures, encapsulate the poignancy and devotional intensity characteristic of this revered period in Byzantine art.