manuscriptjourneys:Portrayal of the Crucifixion of Christ in an 11th century manuscript on Flickr.Th
manuscriptjourneys:Portrayal of the Crucifixion of Christ in an 11th century manuscript on Flickr.The scenes portraying Christ on the cross, often referred to also as the Crucifixion of Christ , derive their visual details mainly from the four Gospels. However, these accounts vary considerably in detail and therefore it is not unnatural that different aspects and variations of the scene could be represented. The standard iconographic composition almost always presents crucified Christ positioned in the middle of the scene where he is shown stripped of his cloths. The figures of Virgin Mary and St. John the Apostle are frequently the only figures included in the composition. Other expended versions of the theme, however, include several other pairs of figures of both historical and symbolic relevance that traditionally appear to the right and the left of the cross. In some variations, the scene presents Christ`s cross erected between those of two thieves who were crucified at the same time with him. In other variations, the scene might include soldiers who cast lots for Christ`s cloths, or the figure of centurion, the Roman army officer, who pierced Christ`s side with a spear and afterward declared him to be the Son of God. Often, on the upper part of the composition, there are small personifications of the Sun and Moon which were eclipsed at the Crucifixion. In some cases, the scene depicts an affixed sign on the cross with the Latin acronym “INRI” ( Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum ), which in English reads as “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews”. Link to the “Crucifixion of Christ” set. Link to the “Scenes from the life of Chris” collection. Manuscript title: Computus, Breviary, Gradual, Sacramentary Origin: St. Gall (Switzerland) Period: 11th century Image source: St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 338, p. 340 – Computus, Breviary, Gradual, Sacramentary ( www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/csg/0338/340 ) -- source link