Crucifixion 1480

Bartolome Bermejo made this painting of the Crucifixion in fifteenth-century Spain. The image depicts the crucifixion of Jesus as it is told in the Bible. Crucifixion was a typical form of execution in Roman times, and Bermejo makes sure we don’t miss that point. He does not shy away from showing us the cruelty of the crucifixion by highlighting the violence in the moment when Christ is nailed to the cross. But this panel painting also offers the viewer a commentary on the artist’s contemporary society, and what role art plays in it. Although he is known as one of the most important representatives of the Early Netherlandish painting style in Spain, Bermejo seemed to challenge the institution of art by breaking with many of the conventions typical of the period. To better understand the image, we must study the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations behind it. Researching the history of the Catholic Church in Spain as well as the political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped art production at the time will enhance our understanding of the piece.