Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen: The crucifixion (1507-1510)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Today is Good Friday, the day which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary/ Golgotha. Why this day is called Good Friday is contested - Good could be an other word for pious, holy or God. This painting by the Dutch master Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen shows several episodes of the passion of Christ. In the upper left corner you can see the agony in the garden. Below that Jesus says goodbye to his mother Maria. On the right you can see Jesus on the Via Dolorosa with Saint Veronica who offers a piece of cloth to Jesus to wipe away the sweat and blood from his face (the so-called sixth station of the Cross). In the middle the crucified Jesus with Maria, Maria Magdalena, the apostle John and on the right again Saint Veronica with her cloth and the image of the face of Jesus which miraculously was impressed upon it. Painting from 1507-1510.