The Descent from the Cross

Rubens painted the Descent from the Cross for Antwerp Cathedral between 1611 and 1614. The whole picture is organised around one white linen shroud that winds diagonally down from top-right — nine figures work as a single spiralling motion around Christ's body. Mary Magdalene at the bottom reaches up to steady his foot. John the Evangelist, in red, catches Christ's arm on his shoulder. Above, the men still on the ladder hold the shroud's upper corners. It is still in the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp. Now at Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp @dekathedraal