Crucifixion Altarpiece from Soest

This altarpiece is one of two discovered in 1862 in the Wiesenkirche in Soest (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). Dating from the 13th century, they are some of the earliest examples of panel painting in Europe north of the Alps.

This specimen depicts the central message of Christianity: salvation through Christ’s sacrifice.

Dominating the centre of the composition is the cross bearing the oversized body of Christ.

Christ bows his head toward the left (the ‘good side’), where the Virgin Mary stands with a group of female disciples and St John.

Christ turns away from the figures on his right, the Roman captain with his soldiers and onlookers.

On some sort of parapet above the saints on the left, there appears an angel with Ecclesia, the personification of the Church.

Ecclesia holds out a chalice to catch the blood flowing from Christ’s wound, thus receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist.

On the opposite side, an angel drives away Synagoga, the personification of the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, and Judaism.

Synagoga loses her crown – and with it, her power.

A heavenly sphere opens up above the crossbar, where the Chorus of Angels gathers and sings.

In the left image, Christ is bound and presented to Caiphas, the high priests, for interrogation.

The walls and towers of the city of Jerusalem are rendered only schematically in the background.

In the right image, we see Mary and her attendants outside the cave where Christ was buried.

An angel gestures toward the empty grave: Christ is not there; he has risen.

The Roman guards are sleeping.

The individual pictures together form a meaningful whole, which emphasizes Christ’s sacrifice as the central event of the Christian history of salvation. This event is still celebrated today during Mass and the rites of the Eucharist.