Station of the Cross (Christ on his way to Calvary)

The fourteen sites along the Via Dolorosa where the events of the Passion of Christ took place according to tradition, are the inspiration for the Stations of the Cross in many churches today. This 18th century polychrome and gilt painting on wood, of Christ on the Way to Calvary depicts the fourth Station i.e. Christ meets his Blessed Mother while on the way to Calvary. This painting is quite theatrical in the way it depicts Christ turning his face to the observer, away from his own suffering. The houses of Jerusalem can be seen in the background. The event shown in this Station of Jesus meeting with his Mother is not narrated in the Gospels but comes out of pious tradition.