Medieval style illumination of the crucifixion, replicated on calfskin vellum using white of egg tempera and colored pigments upon a 24 karat gold leaf background. Modeled after a 13th century French illumination removed from its original manuscript. During the 20th century, the National Library in Warsaw identified it to have originated from the Potocki Psalter.
The original illumination is in possession of the Boston Museum of Fine Art, who’ve digitized the illumination. Unfortunately they’ve taken the page offline. However, there is an open source copy available on Wikimedia Commons.
The Crucifixion
Christians believe Jesus’ death was instrumental in restoring the relationship between humankind and God. Because of this, the event plays a central role in both Christian lore and theology. It is not surprising, then, that it prominently features in Christian art. The main source for the Crucifixion is, of course, the Bible. Marcus the evangelist relays the story as follows:
21They led Jesus out to crucify him; and they compelled a passer-by, Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross. 22They brought Jesus to the place which was known as Golgotha – a name which means ‘place of a Skull.’ 24Then they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots for them, to settle what each should take. 25It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The words of the charge against him, written up over his head, read – ‘The King Of The Jews’ 27And with him they crucified two robbers, one on the right, and the other on the left.
Mark, 15:21–27 (retrieved from Open English Bible on 02-02-2023)
Marcus writes Jesus was crucified among two robbers, which the author didn’t include in this illustration. The two figures standing next to Jesus are, according to the Boston Museum of Fine Art:
“John the Baptist in a blue tunic and beige cloak, and the Virgin Mary in a beige gown and blue cloak.“
Retrieved from collections.mfa.org/objects/65011 on february 2, 2023
Ive painted both figures before realizing the right one was supposed to be John the Baptist, a male. But that became a happy little accident, changing the meaning of the image didn’t invalidate the work. My luck? Mark names two women — present at Jesus’ crucixifion — by name:
40 There were some women also watching from a distance, among them being Mary of Magdala, as well as Mary the mother of James the Little and of Joseph, and Salome – 41 all of whom used to accompany Jesus when he was in Galilee, and give him support – besides many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
Mark, 15:40–41 (retrieved from Open English Bible on 02-02-2023)
The first Mary mentioned in Marks evangeliary is Mary of Magdala, mother of Jesus Christ. The second Mary is, according to the Apostolic Father Papias of Hierapolis (who lived c. 70–163 AD) the sister of Mary of Magdala.