Calvary (Antonello da Messina)

[1] This painting has an important benchmark value in the oeuvre of Antonello da Messina because it is one of the few signed (only twelve) and dated works (ten) by this painter.

The painting belongs to the late work of the Sicilian artist and contains influences from South Italian, Flemish and Venetian styles.

[2] With this Calvary, the Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina painted a symbolic masterpiece about death and redemption.

The study of the human body through anatomical research and dissection formed an important part of the Italian Renaissance artist's art of drawing.

This makes the reproduction of colors richer and more vibrant than with the older painting technique with tempera, a binder based on egg and glue.