The Death of Jesus ("Trinity and Angels")

Sicily, 17th century
Oil on canvas
Diocesan Museum, Piazza Armerina, Sicily

"Trinity and Angels" is the name on the museum label, but notice that there is no sign of the Holy Spirit. The composition does resemble "Throne of Mercy" images of the Trinity, but in those the Father holds up a crucifix with his Son for the viewer's consideration. Here we have instead a "Death of Jesus" image, in which angels carry the dead body to the Father along with the instruments of the Passion. These include the Cross on the left, the pillar at which Jesus was scourged on the right, and the crown of thorns above.

Below the Father and Son, naked souls representing all of humanity await the Resurrection.

View this image in full resolution.
Read more about the Death of Jesus.

Photographed at the museum by Claire Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.