Master of Riglos – The Crucifixion Part 5 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a central figure suspended from a wooden cross, dominating the visual field. The scene unfolds within a rocky landscape, suggesting a desolate and isolated location. A dark blue sky, punctuated by scattered stars, forms the backdrop, contributing to an atmosphere of solemnity and impending darkness.
To the left of the crucified man, several figures are arranged in varying states of grief and distress. One woman, draped in green, leans towards another figure clad in a deep blue robe, her face etched with sorrow. A third woman, wearing red, lies prostrate at the base of the cross, her posture conveying profound anguish. Further to the right, two additional figures are positioned; one kneels, seemingly in prayer or contemplation, while the other sits, enveloped in an orange-hued garment, exhibiting a more subdued expression.
The artist employed a limited palette, primarily utilizing earth tones – greens, reds, blues, and browns – which reinforces the somber mood of the event depicted. The figures are rendered with elongated proportions and stylized features, characteristic of the period’s artistic conventions. Light falls unevenly across the scene, highlighting the central figure and emphasizing his suffering while casting portions of the surrounding landscape into shadow.
The architectural frame surrounding the painted surface is intricately carved in gold leaf, creating a visual contrast between the somber narrative within and the opulent presentation. The frames elaborate design draws attention to the sacred nature of the scene, elevating it beyond a simple depiction of suffering.
Subtly, the arrangement of figures suggests a hierarchy of grief and devotion. The prostrate woman’s posture implies a deeper level of despair than that exhibited by the kneeling figure on the right. The positioning of the central figure against the rocky landscape might symbolize his isolation and sacrifice. The starry sky could be interpreted as a reference to divine presence or an indication of hope amidst suffering, although its darkness also contributes to the overall sense of tragedy. Overall, the work conveys a powerful emotional narrative centered around loss, faith, and sacrifice.