Why it matters
Christ's lifeless body is lowered from the cross, while the fainting Virgin mirrors his pose. It was arguably the most influential Netherlandish painting of the Crucifixion, copied for two centuries.
Did you know?
- It was painted for the chapel of the Leuven archers' guild.
- Christ's body forms the T-shape of a crossbow.
- It shows the influence of Robert Campin.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Descent from the Cross (van der Weyden) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
