Suffering and Salvation, an Easter Promise
Searching for the secret message of hope in the iconic, and harrowing, ‘Isenheim Altarpiece’…
The paintings for the Isenheim Altarpiece are a powerful and groundbreaking series of works and the central crucifixion is one of the most uncompromising and gruesome depictions of the subject. Featuring the figure of Christ so prominently had gone out of fashion, but here he is, ‘centre stage’.
The arms of Christ are elongated and dislocated at the shoulders, emphasising the weight of the body that seems to bend the cross bar. The hands and feet are horribly contorted around the cruel nails that have been driven through, displacing the bones within. The crown of thorns appears particularly vicious and the body is covered with wounds from the flagellation.
Traditionally, Christ on the cross was shown in an almost serene state as he forgives his executioners, offering himself as a willing sacrifice, and looks heavenward in anticipation of the Resurrection. Here is a dead Jesus, head lolling down, eyes closed, lips slack and bloodless. The concave stomach is streaked with drying blood from the spear wound in His side, additional confirmation that the scene is post mortem. Though the artist painted several similar variations, other examples of Christ shown so explicitly…
