Master Radovan, The Crucifixion

Mid-13th century
Relief
West tympanum, Cathedral of St. Lawrence, Trogir, Croatia

This image is an example of the transition from Crucifixions that emphasize the triumph of the divine Christ to those that emphasize the suffering of the human Jesus. As in the older images, Christ's arms stretch out unbent, his side is unwounded, and his open eyes look heavenward. His victory is symbolized by the fact that the "tree" of the cross is in leaf. And the two kneeling figures make it clear that he is the Son of God, who is to be adored by all.

But as in later images Mary and John express dismay by putting their hands to their cheeks, and Jesus wears a short skirt rather than a colobium.

The kneeling figures on either side of the cross are most likely intended to model the response of the viewer.

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Photographed at the site by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.