Christ Carrying the Cross

Tiepolo painted two virtually identical compositions of this scene. This is the Barcelona version. The other may be found in Sant'Alvise, in Venice. It is said that this version was made by a follower of Tiepolo.

In the background is Golgotha, shown here as a large aiguille. The two criminals, who will be crucified with Jesus, enter left. Kneeling, to the right, is Veronica with her cloth showing Christ's face. She turns away from the suffering. Beside her there is a figure with a sign reading INRI: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. The figures in the middle behind Jesus, who is collapsing under the weight of the cross, are his disciples, who seem to look straight at us.