Crucifixion of Christ

The relief scene of The Crucifixion is the central part of the late Gothic Passion altar from St Mary's Church in Wkryujście, whose foundation is linked with one of the most important Pomeranian dukes, Bogusław X. The altar retable, about 7 metres long, which was probably in the type of triptych popular in the Middle Ages, has survived until today in the form of eleven panels showing individual scenes connected with the passion and death of Jesus on the cross. Stylistically, the altar refers to the North German works, while the composition of individual representations to the graphic patterns popular and widely used in the art of the late Middle Ages, originating from the Netherlands and transformed by the German masters. Tendencies towards realism and genericism, which also originated in Dutch art, can be noticed by looking closely at individual fragments. Particularly noteworthy are the images which are individualised portraits, the costumes, which include medieval plate armour, padded vamps and various headgear, or the background scenery with architectural motifs, also actualising biblical events.

Kinga Krasnodębska