Pablo D. Durán

Professor Seitz
American Religious Texts

December 10, 2015

Religious Things in NYC - Analysis

Fordham University students who frequent the university library usually have their focus on their books or computer screens. On the occasion that students have the leisure to explore the endless resources that the library has to offer, students might notice that the library has interesting art mounted throughout the library. Some of the artwork is is authentic, including a philanthropic gift to the university of a de Kooning, and some are merely replicas. Because the Fordham University is a religious institution, it comes as no surprise that religious artwork is ubiquitous. One of the featured images  displays a The Descent from the Cross scene. The image appears to be composed of tempera on parchment paper. Tempera is commonly used because it is a highly permanent paint. Permanent material is appropriate when depicting the scene because Christ descends to his eternal existence. The painting displays Jesus Christ as he is brought down from the cross. In addition to Christ, the scene displays The Virgin Mary retrieving Christ, four men who collaboratively remove Christ’s body from the cross, and four women who mourn the corpse of Jesus Christ. All of the characters are depicted with halos which highlights their pious nature. The cross is positioned in the center of the painting and extends to the top, bottom, left, and right points of the image. The overall structure of the painting is symmetrical, but the symmetry is disrupted by the organization, positioning and gestures of the characters.

The painting accentuates the intended emotions with the use of color. The women are unobstructed and wear long, boldly colored garbs, and the men wear garbs that are less pronounced. The garments that are worn by the characters are dramatic and lively for the occasion. Normally, dark colors are used when depicting death and horror. However, the artist uses dramatic colors that vary from shades of green to shades of red. To acknowledge Christ as the prominent, central figure, Christ appears positioned in the middle of the scene with skin in the jaundiced tone.

To contrast the dramatic, lively colors that the non-central characters display, the artist uses simplified, unrealistic lighting for the background. The higher portion of the painting is quite dark and ominous, while the lower portion of the painting is displayed with broad daylight. The lighting in the background is not illusionistic of reality, but it evokes melancholia and somberness. The variation of the darkness in the background works with the organization of the painting, as it places characters into their corresponding spectrums. The Descent from the Cross places the crucifixion scene in foreground, where the saints stand in the daylight, and the area where Christ hung stands in front of the dark, empty sky .

The Descent from the Cross juxtaposes horror with hope, which is a theme that is displayed throughout the painting. In its organization and use of color and movement, the painting shows Christ descending into peace and hope. The top half of the painting consists of the empty space from which Christ once hung in suffering. Contrastly, the saint’s figures which occupy the bottom half of the painting are incarnations of the eternal peace and hope that Christ will now receive. Moreover, The Descent from the Cross use of color also contributes to the juxtaposing theme of horror and hope. The artist accentuates the emotions of The Descent from the Cross with the use of dramatic colors. The bright colors of the garbs inspire holiness, hope, peace, and emotions that are not typically associated with death. However, these colors of the garments are then contrasted with the deathly color of Jesus Christ’s corpse and the dull color of his garb, reminding the viewer of the importance of this sacrificial event.

Whether students visit the library on their spare time, or they are in the library and in need of a study break, students who have free time whilst in the library are encouraged to appreciate the many works of art that are displayed throughout facility. The collection of religious artwork is abundant; however, the collection is not limited to religious artwork.