Crucifixion of the Christ

Stylistically, this work appears to have been made in the early 1630s -soon after Velázquez returned from Italy- and most authors date it from around 1632. The Apollonian perfection of the anatomy and the figure`s pale complexion recall the neo-Attic character of Guido Reni`s work, but it must have been Velázquez`s intention to imbue the figure with a divine and ineffable beauty, reflecting the belief that Christ was the most beautiful of men. This idea is affirmed by one of the Messianic Psalms: Speciosus forma es prae filiis hominum [Thou art the most beautiful of the sons of men], Vulgate, Psalm 44 (45),