The Museum I visited for this Assignment was The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Ave between 81st and 82st East side. I had a great time in the museum  and I saw two paintings that caught my eyes and I can relate to because they are based on my religion/beliefs. The two  paintings are  Jan Provost “The Crucifixion” and Jan Mostaert “Christ Shown to the People”. This painting reminds me of what I read in the bible about the crucifixion of Jesus and the trials of Jesus  and I was able to relate using my religious background. 

      The Crucifixion” is a painting attributed to Jan Provost, a Flemish painter who was active from around 1491 until his death in 1529. The painting depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ who is a very important figure in the bible as he is seen as the son of god who came to Earth to save everybody from their sins, and in this painting you’ll see the figure of Christ on the cross in the center of the composition which is a very important event that happens in New Testament of the bible. To the left and right of Christ are two thieves also being crucified. In the foreground, several important  figures are depicted mourning the death of Christ, including the Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus and Saint John the Evangelist. Rich colors and dramatic lighting are all hallmarks of this painting. The emotional realism of the figures captures the anguish and agony of the situation. The Virgin Mary is depicted in agony as her face twisted in suffering and grief. 

With a city in the distance and a rocky landscape in the foreground, the background landscape is likewise expertly depicted. The painting’s gloomy mood is heightened by the sky, which is windy and dark.  “The Crucifixion” is generally regarded as a masterpiece of Flemish Renaissance art and a potent representation of one of the most important events in Christian history.

        Christ Shown to the People” is a painting by Jan Mostaert, a Dutch painter who was active in the early 16th century. The painting depicts the biblical scene in which Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of Judea, presents ouuuu Jesus Christ to the people of Jerusalem, who have gathered to witness his trial. In the painting, Christ stands in the center of the composition, flanked by Pilate and a group of soldiers. The people of Jerusalem are depicted in the background, watching the scene unfold. Mostaert captures the drama and tension of the moment, with Christ’s solemn expression contrasting with the anxious and curious faces of the onlookers. The painting is known for its vibrant colors, intricate details, and skillful use of light and shadow.

        Christ Shown to the People” and “The Crucifixion” are both events in the life of Jesus Christ that are depicted in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. In “Christ Shown to the People”, also known as the “Ecce Homo”, Jesus is presented to the crowd by Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion. Pilate declares that he finds no fault in Jesus, but the crowd demands that he be crucified.”The Crucifixion” depicts the actual execution of Jesus by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on a cross after being beaten, mocked, and tortured.Therefore, the connection between the two events is that “Christ Shown to the People” leads directly to “The Crucifixion”. After Jesus is presented to the crowd and condemned to death, he is then crucified, fulfilling the prophecy of his death and resurrection. Both events are significant in the Christian faith and are often depicted in art and literature as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity

          There are several sources for historical/biographical reference about “Christ Shown to the People” and “The Crucifixion”. Here are two examples: The New Testament of the Christian Bible: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all include accounts of Jesus’ trial, condemnation, and crucifixion, as well as his presentation to the crowd by Pontius Pilate. These texts are considered primary sources for the event. “The  Jewish War” by Flavius Josephus: Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian who wrote extensively about the Roman Empire and the Jewish people. In “The Jewish War”, he describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and his presentation to the crowd by Pilate. Although Josephus was not present at the events, his account provides valuable historical context and insight into the political and cultural climate of the time. Other sources that provide biographical references to the life of Jesus include the works of early Christian writers and theologians such as Eusebius of Caesarea, Ignatius of Antioch, and Clement of Alexandria, as well as archaeological evidence from the time period.