Juan de Flandes: The Crucifixion (1509-1519)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

Juan de Flandes was a Spanish painter from the Netherlands. He was born in modern Belgium but he became an artist at the court of Isabella I, Queen of Castile and León. Most of his paintings have religious themes. This Hispano-Flemish painting was originally a triptych, the Crucifixion forming the center piece and was made for the high altar of the Palencia Cathedral. On the left side you can see Mary, Saint John, Mary Magdalen and two Holy Women. On the right side there is Roman centurion on horseback  and fantastic Roman soldier in contemporary armour. Very notable are the emotions of each character and the great attention to detail. This painting if from the period 1509 - 1519.