departing-sabbath Hans Baldung Grien (1480-1545)

The composition presents a complex and emotionally charged scene rendered in a warm, reddish-brown hue that dominates the visual field. Here we see a group of figures engaged in what appears to be a departure or exodus, imbued with a sense of urgency and melancholy.
At the center of the image, a woman is depicted ascending, her body contorted in a dynamic pose suggesting both effort and liberation. Her long hair streams upwards, seemingly propelled by an unseen force, while one arm reaches towards a distant, undefined space. The upward movement contrasts sharply with the figures below.
Beneath this ascending figure lies a man, prostrate on the ground. His posture conveys exhaustion and resignation; he leans heavily on a staff, his head bowed in what could be interpreted as grief or despair. A second woman is positioned beside him, her arms raised in an anguished gesture that mirrors the upward reach of the departing figure. Her expression suggests a mixture of sorrow and perhaps a desperate plea.
The lower portion of the composition introduces further symbolic elements. Several small animals are scattered around the prostrate man, their presence adding to the overall atmosphere of vulnerability and loss. A skull lies near his feet, serving as a stark reminder of mortality. To the left, a draped curtain or fabric hangs partially obscuring objects that remain indistinct, hinting at a domestic setting now being abandoned.
The artist’s use of chiaroscuro – the dramatic interplay of light and shadow – heightens the emotional intensity of the scene. The figures are sculpted with considerable detail, emphasizing their musculature and conveying a sense of physical strain. This technique contributes to the overall feeling of drama and heightened emotion.
Subtly, the work explores themes of separation, loss, and perhaps spiritual ascension. The ascending figure could represent a soul departing from earthly concerns, while the figures below embody the pain and sorrow associated with farewells. The presence of symbolic objects like the skull and animals reinforces the sense of mortality and vulnerability inherent in human existence. The overall effect is one of profound emotional depth and narrative complexity.