Crucifixion by Barnaba da Modena Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Crucifixion by Barnaba da Modena - Essay Example The golden color dominates the whole painting and gives a more indoor look to the whole crucifixion scenario. Despite gold being the dominant color, the use of red color is done to highlight specific aspects of the painting. Other than the red color from the blood pouring out of the body of Christ, the board right on top of the cross is also painted in red and at the center, right at the foot of Jesus, Magdalene is also wearing red robes, which certainly becomes the second thing (if not the first) to observe for the viewer. Golden color is also apparent in the frame of the painting. On the wood it gives more prominence to gold; with the black rocks in the background and wooden cross, the gold color shines brightly in the whole painting. The overall mood of the crucifixion is gloomy but here is where the true beauty of the artwork lies. Jesus is on cross, with blood pouring from the nails driven in his feet and hands but the golden color that dominates and almost engulfs the whole pai nting represents heaven or the light from heaven. This probably indicates the rewards of the afterlife. Red in this painting is nothing but pain. The red robes of the mourning Magdalene, the blood gushing out of Jesus’s foot and the red color of the flag (soldier’s banner), and the sign on top of Christ, indicate pain, torture and sadness. But right above all these ‘red’ elements, the golden color gives hope in the afterlife. Modena made this art piece as a series of antitheses to portray the pagan Rome.