The Ascent To Calvary – Christ Carrying The Cross – 17th Century

A large oil on copper painting by this fine Flemish school, a follower of Frans Francken, whose iconographic codes are clearly evident, both in the expression and abundance of figures, and in the color palette. Christ, crowned with thorns and wearing a red cloak, is depicted falling under the weight of the cross. The procession is making its way to the summit of Golgotha hill, where the erected crosses await their victims; a dense and grieving crowd follows Christ.
Simon from the city of Cyrene helps him carry the heavy Cross. The fifth station of the Way of the Cross traditionally illustrates this episode, recounted in the Gospel according to Saint Luke: "As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it behind Jesus."
Dimensions of the work: 93 cm x 75 cm.
Dimensions with the frame: 108 cm x 89 cm.
Good condition, with an old restoration, in a later giltwood frame with several small dents.
Reference 402