The Isenheim Altarpiece (1st face) 1516

The Isenheim Altarpiece, a monumental work by Matthias Grünewald, is a masterpiece of Northern Renaissance art. Completed in 1516 for the Antonite monastery in Isenheim, France, the altarpiece depicts the Passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary in a series of intricately detailed panels. The first face, now housed at the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar, showcases the central scene of the Crucifixion, with Christ on the cross, surrounded by figures including John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, and a grieving Virgin Mary. Grünewald's highly expressive style and masterful use of light and shadow convey the intense emotional and spiritual power of the event. The altarpiece's vivid colors, particularly the vibrant reds and greens, were intended to capture the viewer's attention and inspire deep contemplation.