Christ on the Cross with the Virgin and Saint John the Evangelist

Wolf Traut

National Gallery of Art

The image shows three figures, with a central figure on a cross in a crucified position. The central figure is a man with a thin build, short hair, a beard, wearing a cloth around his waist, and a crown of thorns. His arms are outstretched, head tilted downward, and face strained. On the left is a person standing covered in flowing garments with a hooded cloak, looking down. On the right is another person standing in robes with curly hair and a beard, looking up. Both hold their robes. The background has hills, trees, and a distant building. Above the central figure is an inscribed sign "I.N.R.I." and vine leaves and fruit at the top corners of the frame. A skull is at the base of the cross in the landscape.