5 artworks about the history and celebration of Easter

This Sunday is Easter, an important moment in the Catholic and Jewish tradition, although they have different meanings for both. Jews celebrate the liberation of their people from Egypt, while Catholics remember Christ's suffering on the cross for the redemption of sins and his resurrection three days after his death. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus it will have happened at the time of the celebration of the Jewish Passover, so both happen at the same time. Starting from five works present in the Marketplace of P55, we make a journey through the last moments of Jesus Christ.

Last supper - Henrique do Vale

in the painting of Henrique do Vale (1959) titled the last supper, a very popular theme in Catholic art is portrayed. Twelve figures are represented on a circular table, with unique characteristics. We thus perceive that we are before the representation of the last meal of Jesus with the twelve apostles before his crucifixion. In this set, we can easily identify the figure of Jesus Christ for his central position and representation of long hair and beard. The remaining elements represented on the table - the vase and the plate - symbolize the bread and wine, present in the Eucharist. With a delicate and emotional stroke, in a play of light and shadow, the Portuguese artist manages to create an overlapping of colors working with acrylic.

Alfredo Coelho - The Face of Christ

In this painting of Alfredo Coelho (1974) the face of Jesus Christ with a crown of thorns. After being sentenced to death by crucifixion, Jesus is subjected to various types of torture, both physical and psychological. It is at this point, before the crucifixion, that Roman soldiers placed on the head of Jesus the crown of thorns, considered by him appropriate for the "king of the Jews". The thorns, in the Bible, refer us, symbolically, to the original sin of Adam and Eve and the fall of Man in temptation. Against a background of cold tones, between gray and blue, the Angolan artist paints a pale face of Jesus Christ who bears all mortal sin upon himself. Using acrylic and other painting techniques, Alfredo Coelho has produced an extensive body of work in which he studies the body, its movements and emotions.

José Rodrigues - Jesus Christ Crucified

in the sculpture «Jesus Christ Crucified", by José Rodrigues (1936-2016), the suffering of Jesus Christ. The representation of the crucifixion is a recurring theme in the Catholic religion, due to the relevance of this episode and the symbolism of the cross. The practice of crucifixion was forever marked by the death of Jesus Christ, however this was an act performed during several centuries before and after his death.

In this small piece, built in bronze, it is represented Jesus on the cross with arms and legs stretched out, following the shape of the cross. With a downcast face, thin arms and a lower part that wraps around the cross, we perceive all the suffering of the crucifixion. the parts of José Rodrigues is intended to involve the viewer in the emotions represented. The artist focuses on physical suffering providing an analogy between artist and viewer with the figure of Christ himself. José Rodrigues created several works with religious themes, including a long series of sculptures and drawings on the theme of the crucifixion.

Artur Bual - the suffering of Jesus Christ

in the work of Artur Bual (1926-1999) the suffering is evidenced from the representation of the face of Jesus Christ. With long hair and beard, downcast eyes and a face designed diagonally, we see the artist use expressionist techniques in order to convey the idea of pain to the viewer. Expressing all the passion and torment, through the face, Artur Bual offers us a work with a background divided into two tones. A grayish tone at the bottom, which could symbolize the earthly surface and the agony of Christ, and a lighter tone, between orange and yellow, giving an idea of heaven, hope and resurrection. The features become darker and more vigorous in the crown of thorns and facial features overlaying the background. Between the abstract and the figurative, we are able to perceive, through this work, the spontaneous and emotional language that characterized the artistic productions of Artur Bual.

Maria Alcina - The Deposition from the Cross

In this work of Maria Alcina (1944) we see the representation of the Virgin Mary with her son after the removal of the dead body of Jesus Christ of the cross. All the sufferings of this episode are portrayed here in their bodies wrapped in a grayish background, which gives dimension to the characters.

The bloodied hands of Jesus Christ by the wounds of the nails and the perforated trunk, refer to the moment after the deposition from the cross.

Virgin Mary, wrapped in dark colored clothes, holds her son, demonstrating her distress and attempt at protection after the barbarities that he had suffered. Through the contrast between light and dark, the Brazilian artist gives movement and emotion to the painting.

The representation of the human figure and its sensations is a constant in the works. His color palette, usually more vivid, in this painting becomes somber in order to convey the suffering of the episode. In his artistic production we can find several pieces on the theme of sacred art, conceived through the technique of watercolor and oil.