Altarpiece of Hannover Kreuzkirche: The Crucifixion of Christ [central panel]

The panel depicts a scene on Calvary with many figures. Christ and the two thieves occupy an area covered by dark clouds in the upper third of the panel. The crosses of the thieves project diagonally into the pictorial space. A group with the three Marys and St John can be seen to the left of Christ and in front of them the henchmen gamble for the robe of the crucified. Mary Magdalene has collapsed at the base of the shaft and embracing it in her arms she looks upwards in grief. The right is dominated by a group of men on horseback and soldiers, among them the converted centurion, who looks up at Christ and points upwards like the oriental on a camel. The central third of the painting shows a forest of lances and pikes against the backdrop of a pastel coloured sky.

[Görres, cda 2012]