Christ on the Cross

Christ on the Cross was painted in 1627 by Peter Paul Rubens with the intent to display sacrifice in the name of religion. Here Jesus Christ is shown crucified on a cross with three women beneath him weeping with sympathy. Religion is the main influence in this painting, obviously, and sacrifice is therefore highly valued in religion.   

The painting itself is almost perfect according to the standards of the time during the renaissance taking into account the symmetrical balance, but yet the use of colors is somewhat different than the ordinary. Jesus is based in the center of the painting to clearly state that his sacrifice is the center of concentration and attention. Edged by groups of people on both sides of Jesus, the painting is symmetrical and balanced. Yet the use of colors here is the key that makes this painting of Christ on the Cross different from all the others. The colors are not bright and joyful as most paintings had in this period. With the use of these darker colors, the sacrifice of Jesus seems more sympathetic as it appears more brutish in color.
(The Ultimate Sacrifice)