Christ Crucified, Attended by the Virgin, Saint Mary Magdalen, and Saint John the Evangelist 1556 - 1641

Lazzaro Tavarone rendered this drawing of Christ's crucifixion with pen and brown ink wash, presenting an emblematic scene laden with symbols of suffering and salvation. The cross, surmounted by the inscription "INRI," immediately signifies Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Attending the scene are the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Saint John, each figure expressing profound sorrow through their gestures and postures. Notice the upturned faces and the raised hands, echoing gestures found in ancient depictions of lamentation and grief. Consider the ancient sculptures of mourning women, their hands reaching heavenward in despair. This gesture, seemingly primal, resurfaces across cultures and epochs, embodying the universal experience of sorrow. It speaks to the subconscious, triggering deep-seated emotional responses. The symbolic weight of Christ on the cross as a motif has evolved through history, from early Christian art, where it was often veiled, to the Renaissance depictions emphasizing human suffering. The persistence and adaptation of these symbols demonstrate a cyclical progression, a testament to the enduring power of collective memory.