Bernardino Luini “Diptych Way to Calvary Mater Dolorosa and Christ Carrying the Cross” Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan in Italy

Bernardino Luini (1475-1480 — June 1532) “Diptych of the Ascent to Calvary: Mater Dolorosa and Christ Carrying the Cross”

Painting - Oil on Wood (61 x 39.6 cm) - 1532

The Madonna, represented as “Mater Dolorosa”, looks at her son, who carries her cross during the ascent to Calvary.

Bernardino Luini, Diptych Way to Calvary Mater Dolorosa and Christ Carrying the Cross, Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan in Italy

Diptych Way to Calvary We share her helplessness and the pain her crossed hands on her chest and tight lips express.

A tear runs down her cheek as Simon of Cyrene, the man who helps Christ carry his cross, shares her distress and tries to comfort her by putting his hand on her shoulder.

Behind her, Marie-Madeleine follows the scene.

Christ turns his head to look at his mother.

His body is lacerated with whip marks, a rope has been passed around his neck, the thorns in his crown pierce his flesh, and yet his emaciated face shows no sign of suffering nor of the effort he must make to carry this massive cross to the top of Calvary.

Christ is already beyond his human condition; the Son of God is going up to Calvary to fulfil his mission as Saviour.

Diptych Way to Calvary