The artwork “Raising of the Cross – Sts Eligius and Catherine” is a religious painting completed by the well-known artist Peter Paul Rubens in the year 1610. It is an oil painting on panel and stands as a distinguished example of the Baroque art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are considerable, measuring 460 cm in height and 150 cm in width, which adds to the grandeur and imposing presence that typifies Rubens’ work.
The artwork presents a depiction imbued with the dramatic intensity and vibrant emotion characteristic of the Baroque period. In the foreground, Saint Catherine is seen, elegantly garbed in rich, flowing fabrics that catch the light, illustrating Rubens’ mastery over the rendering of textures and the play of light and shadow on different surfaces. Her attire is ornate, with golden embroidery that enhances her regal bearing; she gazes upwards, possibly in divine contemplation, holding a martyr’s palm and the sword that is her attribute, signifying her martyrdom. Beside her, St. Eligius stands, identifiable by the bishop’s crozier he is holding, his gaze directed towards Catherine, reinforcing the narrative connection between the saints.
Above them, an angel hovers in a dynamic pose, echoing the movement and energy that pervade the scene. The angel’s robust, corporeal form, characteristic of Rubens’ angels, contributes a sense of liveliness and upward motion. The artwork, with its rich palette, dynamic composition, and expert articulation of human anatomy, captures the viewer and conveys the spiritual intensity that is at the heart of the Baroque artistic endeavor.
