THE HOLY CROSS ALTARPIECE

STYLE 

The figures of the altarpiece stand out for their high quality and tremendous variety of different physical features: some such as Mary Magdalene and St. John the Evangelist located to the sides of the altarpiece have more serene expressions as opposed to the more dramatic expressions of Christ on the Road to Calgary, James (Santiago) the Apostle and the Holy Women in the Lamentation relief. Dramatic these expressions may be, however, their expressiveness is always somehow contained, interiorised. Figures with sterner expressions may also be seen, such as the patron saints on the predella and the figure of Simon of Cyrene who is frowning authoritatively.

In all instances, the figures' elegance of gesture and posture are quite remarkable. The treatment of their flowing garbs is also quite exceptional with just the right touch being given to headdresses and garments, without the exuberant excesses of other works. Also notable is the composition of the groups of figures on the central section in which the number of people and the interference of landscape elements has been reduced in favour of a much clearer message.