The artwork “Crucifixion” was created by the renowned artist Raphael during the years 1502 to 1503. This oil on board painting is part of the High Renaissance art movement and it measures approximately 281 x 165 cm. Raphael’s piece is categorized as a religious painting and currently resides in the National Gallery in London, UK.
In the artwork, the central figure of Jesus Christ is depicted on the cross, a solemn representation of his crucifixion. His body is rendered with great attention to anatomical detail, and he is surrounded by iconic religious figures and symbols. At the apex of the painting, an inscription “INRI” (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) is visible, which translates to “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” a title mockingly given to Jesus during his crucifixion.
To the left and right of Christ, angels are present, capturing his blood in chalices, mirroring the sacrament of the Eucharist. The figures below react to the tragic event with varied expressions of grief and devotion. On the left, Mary Magdalene, robed in black, mourns deeply, her eyes downcast and hands clasped. Opposite her, a man assumed to be John the Evangelist looks up to Christ with an expression of despair and supplication. Kneeling in the foreground, a female figure, who might represent Mary the mother of Jesus, displays a posture of devout prayer, with her gaze directed towards the heavens. Finally, Saint Jerome, traditionally identified by his cardinal’s attire, is cast in penitential pose, indicating his remorse and veneration.
The landscape in the background is serene, contrasting with the anguish of the scene, and extends into a clear sky that suggests a transcendent realm beyond the mortal suffering displayed. The arrangement of characters, the use of perspective and light, and the serenity of the colors are characteristic of Raphael’s artistry and the High Renaissance’s balance between earthly realism and heavenly idealism.