schilders 10

The Mocking of Christ with Mary the Annunciate and Mary the Elder

This polyptych, a painting with multiple panels, is on loan from a Danish church named after Mary, who is depicted on both sides. The first of the five panels shows Mary at the time of the Annunciation. Clothed in blue to represent calm and purity, the Virgin Mary embraces her robes in anticipation of the mission the Lord has given her.

The second panel depicts an unruly mob demanding the release of the murderer Barabbas and the death of Jesus. In the bottom corner is a young boy with two men, who might be his father and grandfather. “It makes you think of the generations of families, and how the decision of a parent or grandparent affects a child,” says Pheysey. “The child mimics what he sees. On his own he probably never would have been part of this crowd.”

Clothed in a red robe and crowned with thorns, the bound and battered Christ stands undaunted. “The expression is a bit different than we’re used to, but it’s so engaging, says Pheysey. “His eyes bore right into you. He looks firm, resolute, and calm.” Under the careful lighting of the MOA display, His crown of thorns appears to emerge from the painting.

Vindictive priests, Roman officials, and soldiers silently approve the injustice. “They look so smug,” says Pheysey. “They’re the ones who’ve incited the crowd to fight for the crucifixion of Jesus.”

“All of the architecture on the right is Roman, and on the left are the Jewish temple and walls of the city,” says Magleby. “They give a context for these various forces, all of which are combined to bring down Jesus—and Jesus is confidently refusing.”

In the final panel, an older Mary witnesses her son’s condemnation and crucifixion 33 years after His birth. This Mary wears a look of serene, somber understanding of the sacrifice of Christ.

[bron]