Tenebrae, the hour of darkness, was celebrated at St. Mark the Evangelist on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Ancient hymns, scripture readings, prayers and a meditation are offered to feed the reverence of the faithful during this holiest time of the year.

Art:The Crucifixion

Pietro Lorenzetti Italian

1340s

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 635

Lorenzetti imbued this familiar biblical subject with a new sense of pathos and dramatic intensity. Details such as the piercing of Christ’s side with a spear, the breaking of the legs of the thieves, and the Virgin swooning into the arms of her companions ensure an emotional response from the viewer. Lorenzetti creates a strong sense of shared human experience by placing his figures in pairs or groups, allowing us to imagine the various reactions that were felt by witnesses of the Crucifixion.

Music: Annual License w/Podcasting, A-726294