Evening star., 1914-04-12

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picture for the tenderness. love and
devotion shown for the crucified Lord
by Mary. His mother: by Mary Mag
dalene. who kneels in humility at His
feet, and by John. who lovingly holds
the body of his Master. but who looks
out of the picture in order that he
should not intrude his presence upon
the sorrowing Virgin.
The American who visits the art 2at-
leries in Germany will find SO many
pictures OF the crucifxion that the
thought OF the redemption can never
be forgotten. Every year thousands OF
persons travel from the direct routes
of their tours in order to visit the
Belgian city of Antwerp. The power
which attracts them is the world famed
canvas of Rubens in the great cathe-
dral. THE Descent From the Cross"
This painting cannot help but convey
TO Christian and infidel alike the ever
sounding words. "Ye are not your own,
for ye are bought with price" No
picture can be more realistic than this
for the limp body Of the Savior. with
deathlike flesh tint is indeed made life
less by some mysterious gift Of
Rubens
men are assisting in removing the bod,
of Christ. Joseph of lSrmathaea and
Nicodemus. who are opposite each other
are also engaged in this sad work; but il
is St John who stands at the foot of the
cross and who bears the weight OF
Christs body His back bends with the
sacred burden. Mary. the mother Of
Christ. brave in her trial and sorrow. ex-
tends her arms to embrace her Son IN
devotion. The grief-stricken Magdaiene
also reaches out her hands toward the
Savior. The other Mary kneels mourn
fully beside Christ's mother.
This work of Rubens is said to rank a,
one of the twelve greatest paintings in
the world. Sir Joshua Reynolds has pro
nounced the picture of Christ the finest
ever produced. All the light in the paint
ing comes directly from the body of tie
Savior or from its reflection on the white
sheet.
Although Rubens coors are always
marvellous. the artist seems to have ex-
celled himself in THE Descent From the
Cross" The secret of his beautiful red
tints has never been discovered, bu. It 10
said that he mixed them with blood
The companion picture, The Elevation
OF the Cross" though not so famous as
The Descent" is also very interesting.
excitement. The harshness in the faces Of
those who are carrying out the execution
at command of PLATE is accentuated by
contrast with the gentle countenances OF
those who are lovingly caring for the
dead body of the Savior in the descent
The most striking difference between ths
two pictures. however, is in the wonderful
painting of Christ.
L.
truly alive. for Rubens has put life into
the f1esh-tint of the Masters body as we
see Him raised on the cross. In The
Descent it is plain that all earthly suffer
ing has ended; for with even greater skill
the artist has used his color to show
death.
In Paris there are numerous produc-
tions of Christian art which deal with
the sufferings of the Lord. Those who
wish to see THE Crucifxion,'' by Velaz-
quez, visit Madrid. for even among the
many pictures of its kind in Spain, this
painting stands out in prominence.
In the National Gallery at London
there are not as many pictures of the
Good Friday lesson as are seen in an
art collection on the continent, but in the
London Gallery THE Lunette" of Fran
cia is considered gem among sacred
paintings. In it the virgin is seen weep
ing over the dead body of Christ. 1t 10
said that in this picture the pathoe OF
Marys grief is more realistic than in
any other.
The angels are distinctly Francian in
their beauty and religious devotion.
Raphael said that Fraancia painted more
devoutly beautiful madonnas than any
he had ever seen; and this "Pieta" has
gained its fame through its religious
beauty. The crucified Christ is pictured
as the conaueror of the horrors Of death.
for He had fulfilled the will of His heav-
enly Father. and had made Himself Q
living sacrifice for all mankind.