Elevation of the Cross 1577 - 1668

Curator: Alessandro Tiarini created this compelling work titled "Elevation of the Cross" sometime between 1577 and 1668. The piece is a drawing and print, utilizing charcoal to capture a poignant moment. Editor: My first impression is its unsettling tension. The pale figures against that monochromatic backdrop create a stark scene. It really emphasizes the raw exertion and emotional weight of what's happening. Curator: Precisely. Think about the social and political weight of the crucifixion during that period. Tiarini situates the figure of Christ as not just a religious icon, but as a figure subjugated by power structures. The emphasis on the physical struggle underscores the systemic violence at play. Editor: Absolutely, and it's interesting how the artist directs our attention through symbolism. The cross itself isn't just lumber; it is the intersection of earthly brutality and divine sacrifice. Note, also, the detail given to the tools and the contraption being assembled near the foot of the cross; it reveals both the planning and ritual involved in the spectacle of capital punishment. Curator: I agree. I read this work as a critique of power, interrogating who holds it, who is subjected to it, and the instruments they use. Tiarini almost casts a cynical light on the very notion of sacrifice, revealing the manipulative aspects of those systems. Editor: There’s something unnerving in its static nature, too. Although they are shown in dynamic poses and movement, the monochromatic color story creates an odd flattening of space. The limited range of tones, primarily browns and whites, evokes older frescoes—an ancient, unyielding fate. It lends a timeless quality to the depiction, emphasizing its recurring nature throughout history. Curator: Yes, the color scheme certainly anchors this moment in the continuum of history, and perhaps alludes to an inexorable cycle of violence, struggle, and symbolic meaning. This drawing serves not merely as an isolated depiction, but rather as a continuous reflection on our shared history of power and suffering. Editor: Ultimately, I see an incredibly affecting scene whose restrained tones speak volumes, urging us to think carefully about the heavy implications of those enduring themes and emblems.