A PIECE OF A CALVARY

STYLE 

Despite the limited space available, the anonymous woodcarver has managed to give the characters their own volume and a certain individuality by distributing them very carefully indeed. This skill is especially visible in the group made up of the Holy Woman, St. John and the Virgin whose figures are carefully staggered on different levels, leading the eye of the beholder to the swooning body of the Virgin, one of the main focal points of the composition. Standing to one side of her is the slim, elegant, richly-clothed figure of Mary Magdalene who raises her face upwards towards the Crucifixion while Longinus and his squire make up a third group of figures.

The author's skill in showing different emotions is patent: here we can see the grief of St. John, the fervour of Mary Magdalene, the excruciating anguish of Mary and the surprise of Longinus and his companion. All the personalised physical characteristics are most sincere and the artist has executed them with great moderation. We can appreciate the refined curve of noses and the way the eyes seem to sink into skulls under skilfully fashioned brows.