Jacopo Tintoretto
The Ascent to Calvary

1565-67
Oil on canvas
Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice, Italy

Pulled along by a leash and collar, Jesus strains under the weight of the cross, with a little help from Simon of Cyrene (Luke 23:26).

The artist puts a U-turn into the path to include the two thieves and their tormentors, along with two men in contemporary Venetian dress helping the thieves carry their crosses.

Another innovation is the pair of "SPQR" banners at the U-turn. One of them is held aloft by a proud soldier enveloped in brilliant light. On the other side of the wall bearing this painting is Tintoretto's Temptation of Christ, where the figure of Satan is given similar treatment.

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