The grisaille imitates a marble relief as a trompe-l'œil. Such paintings were mainly used to decorate rooms. The picture could come from a domestic chapel or was perhaps the picture of a domestic altar.
In the centre is the cross with the crucified Jesus. Mary Magdalene kneels weeping at the feet of Christ, nestles her hair-covered face against his feet and clasps the trunk of the cross with her hands. A rock rises up on the right and a palm tree rises in the background. The landscape can be read as a reference to Mary Magdalene's later life as a hermit in the desert. In the background on the left is the Temple of Jerusalem, designed as a Baroque church. The building with its tambour, portico and bell tower is vaguely reminiscent of the Karlskirche in Vienna. The skull of Adam, which gave Golgotha its name, lies in front on the left.
The execution of the painting is of very high quality, the expression of the mourning Mary is moving. The unknown artist has created an excellent impression of a relief. The figures of Christ and Mary Magdalene appear almost fully sculpted, while the temple and the landscape appear in fine bas-relief. Oil on canvas , 100 x 85 cm
