Exhibition Guide
Henri Matisse. Detail of The Stations of the Cross, Chapel of the Rosary, Vence. All copyright-protected works by Henri Matisse © 2025 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: © Musée Matisse Nice/François Fernandez
Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross Visual Description
Station 12 is positioned in the center of the top row. The scene, representing the Station in which Jesus dies on the cross, is the largest scene in the mural, measuring approximately six tiles high and three tiles wide. A few quick lines indicate a figure representing Jesus’ limp body affixed to a cross, with his head, torso, arms, and legs clearly defined. The figure’s arms extend upwards in a deep V-shape, positioning the body as if it were hanging heavily from its arms on the cross. The figure’s head tilts downward, perhaps showing exhaustion, resignation, or death. Below the cross, two loosely represented forms, painted as organic, blob-like shapes, appear to bow down, in mourning for Jesus.