Andalusian school; 18th century

Andalusian school; early 18th century.
"Via Crucis".
Oil on canvas adhered to tablex. Relined.
It presents repainting and air bubbles.
Measurements: 60 x 53 cm; 67 x 60 cm (frame).
Pair of oil paintings on canvas of oval format in which two similar scenes are collected, belonging to the representation of the Way of the Cross. Exhausted by the blood lost in the scourging, weakened by the physical and moral suffering inflicted on him the night before, and without having slept, Jesus could barely take a few steps and soon fell under the weight of the cross. Then followed the blows and imprecations of the soldiers, the expectant laughter of the crowd. The Messiah, with all the strength of his will and with all his might, managed to get up and continue on his way. According to theological interpretations, Jesus invites us by his actions to carry our cross and follow him, he teaches us here that we too can fall, and that we must understand those who fall; that none of us must remain prostrate, we must all get up with humility and trust, seeking his help and forgiveness. The scenes in each of the works show a different moment on the road to Calvary. One of them depicts the moment when Jesus is about to be whipped by one of the soldiers, perhaps the moment before his fall on Calvary, a recurring theme in Christian iconography. The other image depicts a scene that would later give rise to the iconography of the Holy Face, a devotional painting. It is an episode that occurred during the Passion of Christ, when on the road to Calvary a woman took off her veil to wipe the face of the Messiah with it. The image of the face of Jesus Christ was imprinted on the linen handkerchief, and it was miraculously preserved through the centuries, becoming an object of worship. The woman would later be called Veronica, whose etymology derives from the Latin "verum" (true) and the Greek "eikon" (image).