Ekphrasis-Descent From the Cross

Jesus' dead body is taken down from the cross slowly, Nicodemus' hands support it while His mother Mary, not contorted by grief, is consoled by a glorious vision, which will be revealed in the majestic morning of resurrection; Mary Magdalene, not a virgin or chaste woman...once a part of the sinful world, shares in that undying hope when Christ will be awaken by the trumpets sound. Carved in precious marble by Michelangelo's masterful hands and ingenuity, this awesome depiction is more intense than his own undisputed religiosity, Christ still bleeds for Mankind's salvation, but death will not prevail; three long days He will lay down in the darkest and coldest tomb, and towards dawn He will be resurrected by the voice of the Father whom He invoked before He died... yes, sorrow is deeply expressed by these three figures, but their tears will be exiled! And Michelangelo abandoned the unfinished sculpture due to a marble's imperfection, not realizing that he had captured the excruciating expression of the sacrificial Lamb, and before these wailing faces, he must have knelt and fervently prayed, humbly staring at Christ's lifeless head drooping and believing in Man's redemption; and Nicodemus' face has indeed Michelangelo's resemblance, exuding much revelation... come closer, unbeliever and stare at this magnificent sculpture with profound admiration. Copyright 2009 by Andrew Crisci