Holy Saturday

The Crucifixion (1627) Francisco de Zurbarán

On this Holy Saturday, the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium takes a look at some of moving and inspirational pieces of Jesus' Passion and Resurrection.

In room 211 at the @artinstitutechi you will find back on display this breathtaking piece by Francisco de Zurbarán. “The Crucifixion" (1627). The black background and amazing detail on Jesus’ body and loin cloth make this painting feel three dimensional. It is unknown if Zurbaran ever saw Caravaggio’s paintings, but looking at this piece, it is hard to believe he had not.

Fun Fact: Francisco de Zurbarán took inspiration from Juan Sánchez Cotán, the master of Spanish Baroque still-life painting. Cotán’s dramatic tenebrism (use of light and shadow), in his bodegones (still life painting of pantry items) , shaped Zurbarán’s own iconic style. On the opposite wall of the Crucifixion, you will find the Art Institute’s oldest European still life “Still Life with Game Fowl” by Cotán.