The Carrying of the Cross 1657

"The Carrying of the Cross" (1657) by Flemish artist Jacob Jordaens depicts the dramatic moment when Jesus, bound and carrying the cross, is led towards his crucifixion. The painting, rendered in Jordaens' characteristically robust style, showcases the suffering of Christ alongside the emotional responses of those surrounding him. The foreground is a scene of chaos, with figures jostling and pushing Jesus forward. The figures of Mary and Veronica, witnessing Christ's pain, provide a counterpoint to the harshness of the soldiers and bystanders. Jordaens' dynamic composition and expressive figures create a powerful visual testament to the events of the Passion of Christ.