Elliot Wise shares four pieces of artwork that reveal truths about the Crucifixion.
You may have heard that medieval churches incorporated art to demonstrate scripture stories for illiterate people, but Professor Elliot Wise (Eucharistic and Liturgical Imagery) debunked that myth in his August 24, 2023, Education Week presentation. He argued that we should not look at these medieval art pieces as simply depictions of stories. He said, “Religious images are very complex . . . they have multiple layers, symbolism, meaning that changes. The more you know, the more you get out of a sacred image.” Wise discussed four artistic interpretations of the Crucifixion and invited the audience to reflect on the symbolism and depth of devotion in these sacred images.
1. Cross of Lothair. C. 1000 [Aachen Cathedral Treasury, Achen]
The Cross of Lothair is a processional cross, once mounted on a pole and carried from the back of the church to the front during worship. Covered in gemstones and gold, the front of the cross displays an image of the emperor Augustus while the reverse has a simple etching of Christ on the cross. Wise explained the symbolism behind this artistic choice: “Augustus’ image is being reused as a kind of image of Jesus . . . I think the artist wants you to look at this and see in Jesus crucified the true king and in Augustus a kind of type for the great resurrected triumphant God.” Seeing Christ crucified and Christ the resurrected king at the same time provides an opportunity to meditate on Christ as both.
2. The Cross as the Tree of Life, apse mosaic, before 1128 [upper church of s. Clemente, Rome]
The second artwork Wise shared covers the entire dome of a church in Rome. The sprawling scene depicts vines, flowers, birds, and people springing from the foot of Christ on the Cross. Wise said, “A crucifixion image isn’t just about death! In fact, one of the most common themes is life.” Wise explained that the mosaic shows how Christ's sacrifice shelters all the faithful who abide in him. For Christians both then and now, the image of abiding in Christ brings comfort and peace in a difficult world.
3. Rogier van der Weyden, Escorial Crucifixion, cs. 1455 [El Escorial, Madrid]
Wise spent most of his presentation studying Renaissance oil painter Rogier van der Weyden. Weyden’s Escorial Crucifixion is a huge painting, with over-life-size figures. Wise pointed out that the focal point of the painting is the wound in Jesus’ side and explained the significance of the body of Christ as a gateway into heaven and humanity’s sole point of access to God the Father. He said, “Renaissance Christians would imagine to themselves that they could enter the side of Jesus and take refuge in his heart, as if they were entering a temple.”
4. Crucifixion, ca. 1245-60 [choir screen of Naumburg Cathedral, Naumburg]
In the Naumburg Cathedral, Christ's outstretched arms spread over the door to the altar where worshippers would have received communion. The Crucifix is stone, but painted to be very lifelike. Jesus’ stone feet have weathered away after being touched and kissed millions of times. Wise said, “This crucifixion, its power, its meaning become activated when you think about it as a liminal doorway, something you walk through.” As a worshipper walks through, they can look at the face of Jesus, whose eyes are open and head is tilted down, and have a personal interaction with Him.
With each of these artworks, Wise reiterated that “the point of the image is to do what scriptures do, for the literate and illiterate alike.” He said, “[Art is] to remind you of very sacred things that you already believe, to teach you new perspectives, to bring up symbolic possibilities, to bring you closer to the Lord, to move your heart in repentance.”
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