The Deposition from the Cross or Descent from the Cross is a tempera painting created by Greek painter
Stylianos Stavrakis
Stylianos Stavrakis ( el, Στυλιανός Σταυράκης, 1709/1714 – 1786), was a Greek painter during the Neo-Hellenic Enlightenment era in art. He was a goldsmith and painter. He was very active on the Ionian Islands. Nikolaos ...
. He was active during the early part of the 1700s. His nephew and brother were also famous painters. His nephew
Demetrios Stavrakis
Demetrios Stavrakis ( el, Δημήτριος Σταυράκης, 1735/40 – 1801), also known as the so-called Romanos ( el, ο λεγόμενος Ρωμανός) was a Greek painter of the Heptanese School. His uncles were famous painters A ...
was also his pupil. He was also a goldsmith. Most of his works were completed on the island of Zakynthos. He was a representative of the
Heptanese school and Greek Rococo. Fourteen of his paintings survived.
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Countless Greek and Italian paintings have been created representing Christ on the cross. The Descent from the Cross is part of the
Passion series. The Deposition from the Cross shows the moment when Christ's body is removed from the cross and taken for burial. Artists have artistically reanimated the event in paintings. Well-known versions include works by
Duccio,
Ioannis Apakas
Ιoannis Apakas ( el, Ιωάννης Απακάς, mid 1500s - early 1600s), also known as Johann Apakass was a Greek painter and priest. He was active in the latter part of the 16th century to the early 17th century. He was popular artist duri ...
, and
Nikolaos Kantounis. Stavraki's painting can be found in Athens Greece at the
Benaki Museum.
History
The ''Descent from the Cross'' is made of tempera paint, wood panel, and gold leaf. The height is 38.3 cm (15 in) and the width is 23.5 cm (9.2 in). The painting features an evolved sophisticated technique. The figures are painted with careful detail.
Ioannis Apakas
Ιoannis Apakas ( el, Ιωάννης Απακάς, mid 1500s - early 1600s), also known as Johann Apakass was a Greek painter and priest. He was active in the latter part of the 16th century to the early 17th century. He was popular artist duri ...
's ''Descent from the Cross'' features flattened surfaces in line with the
maniera greca. A shallow stage illustrates a series of ridges, furrows, or diagonal lines. The figures exhibit a simplistic tone prevalent in the
Cretan School but more refined than Byzantine art. Stavraki takes Apaka's version one step further adding luxuriant patterns, brilliant colors, and lavish costumes. The figure of Jesus suspended by a mere piece of cloth is sculpturesque, simple, and weighty. Stavraki's work is comparable to Duccio's ''Descent from the Cross''. Jerusalem is in the background three ladders are present. There are nine figures around Christ. There are many
women at the crucifixion The presence of a group of female disciples of Jesus at the crucifixion of Jesus is found in all four Gospels of the New Testament. There have been different interpretations how many and which women were present. Although some Christian traditions h ...
around Mary.
The Three Marys are present at the event. One woman embraces Jesus's dead body as he descends the cross. The Virgin is at the bottom of the icon to the left of the cross. The postures and gestures of the figures denote a scene filled with sorrow and despair.
Gallery
File:Descent from the Cross, poss. by Johann Apakass (Macedonia, 18 c., Pushkin museum).jpg, Descent from the Cross Apakas
File:Duccio di Buoninsegna - Deposition - WGA06815.jpg, Descent from the Cross Duccio
File:Νικόλαος-Καντούνης.-Η-Αποκαθήλωση.-Από-το-ναό-των-Αγίων-Αναργύρων.jpg, Descent from the Cross Kantounis
References
{{Heptanese School (painting)
18th-century paintings
Paintings in Greece
Paintings of the Heptanese School