The Descent from the Cross is the central panel of a triptych painting by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens in 1612–1614.

[1] However, Rubens' painting stands apart from the dramatic Italian artists in its depiction of the ritualistic and solemn lowering of Christ's body from the Cross into the arms of the believers.

The figures in the painting are depicted with exaggerated expressions of grief and sadness, emphasizing the emotional impact of Christ's death.

[4] Rubens transformed the representation of the Virgin from a portrayal of frailty and agony to one of fortitude and bravery based on the Gospel of Saint John (Jn.19:25).

It combines the popular story of a devout giant carrying the baby Jesus on his back across a river with a representation that emphasizes humanistic ennoblement.

[6] Unlike The Descent from the Cross (van der Weyden), Christ's body is lowered down carefully by group of men.

[8] Outside the shutters of the triptych, Ruben illustrates the guild's patron, Christopher, or Christophorus, "Christ-bearer", carrying the Christ across the stream, and the Hermit.

[4] On the right side, the scene takes place in a meticulously designed temple interior, where the High Priest is presented with the Christ-child.

These scenes share a common theme of the beginning of Christ's life, which stands in contrast to the central panel that portrays his end.

[4] The focal point of the painting is in the center panel, which portrays a group of interlocking figures arranged in an elliptical shape around the lifeless body of Jesus.

Nicodemus is shown above them on the ladder, while two men leaning over the crossbar are lowering Jesus' body, with one holding the winding sheet between his teeth to free his hands.

After the sacrifice of Calvary, as it is called in Scripture, the sad, dark sky is crossed by a light that illumines the shoulders of the workmen, whose bold posture recalls the composition by Daniele da Volterra.