Easter

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a foundational event in Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death. Observed on the Sunday following Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion, Easter marks the culmination of Holy Week and the end of Lent, a season of fasting and reflection. For Christians, Easter affirms the promise of eternal life and the transformative power of God’s love and grace. It is both a solemn remembrance and a joyful celebration, often accompanied by church services, music, and gatherings that honor Christ’s sacrifice and triumph, offering hope and renewal to believers.

Below, the crucifixion of Christ, his death, and resurrection are portrayed by three artists.

Crucifixion. I intentionally included the Grünenwald altarpiece above because art historians know it is one of the few depictions of the Crucifixion that expresses the true pain and brutality of torture. It is not romanticized.
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The Grünewald Altarpiece, also known as the Isenheim Altarpiece, is a monumental polyptych painted by Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516 for the Monastery of St. Anthony in Isenheim. Renowned for its intense emotional power and vivid imagery, it was designed to comfort patients suffering from skin diseases like ergotism. The Crucifixion scene, with Christ’s contorted body, graphically conveys pain and redemption, while inner panels reveal scenes of the Resurrection and healing saints. Combining Gothic spirituality with early Renaissance detail, the altarpiece stands as one of the most hauntingly beautiful religious artworks of the Northern Renaissance.

The death of Christ. Michelangelo’s La Pietà, sculpted in 1498–1499, is a Renaissance masterpiece housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. I would have to admit it moved me in a very deep way when I saw it live. Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. Remarkable for its emotional depth, the sculpture captures both sorrow and serenity. Mary’s youthful face and the flowing drapery contrast with Christ’s lifeless form, creating a powerful expression of grief and divine grace. La Pietà was Michelangelo’s first major commission and remains the only work he ever signed, showcasing his extraordinary skill and spiritual sensitivity.

The Resurrection, Easter. Affirming the promise of eternal life and the transformative power of God’s love and grace. It is both a solemn remembrance and a joyful celebration, often accompanied by church services, music, and gatherings that honor Christ’s sacrifice and triumph, offering hope and renewal to believers.