Raising of the Cross c. 1480 - 1500

This triptych, Raising of the Cross, was made by an anonymous artist using oil paint on wood panel. It’s a complex scene with an expansive landscape and numerous figures, rendered with great attention to detail. The artist has used traditional materials – finely ground pigments suspended in oil, applied with brushes to a smooth wooden surface. The slow drying time of oil paint allowed for the creation of subtle gradations and textures, while the panel provided a stable and durable support for the artwork. However, the painting's real power resides in its emotional charge, as well as the labor required for its execution. The work of the executioners raising the cross and the emotional suffering of those who are watching. These elements transform the scene into a meditation on power, suffering, and the human condition, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.