This is considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of Rubens. Apart from the magnificent artistic way the suffering of Christ has been portrayed the painting also has a hidden iconografic message. The three main panels are in fact portraits of Saint Christopher. This saint was the patron of the guild of Arquebusiers. When they requested Rubens to paint their patron Saint, he knew that this could get him in trouble with the authorities of the Contrareformation. Since only scenes from the life of Christ could be shown in the restored catholic churches, Rubens hid the name in the scenes. The signification of the name Christopher is 'he who carries Christ'. This is exactly what one sees in the painting. The central panel shows Saint John (with the red dress) carrying the body of Christ which makes him ' Christopher'. Likewise, in the left panel Mary is visiting her niece Elisabeth and she is pregnant, therefore she is 'carrying Christ = Christopher'. On the right side panel one can see holy Simon offering the new born child to God in the temple, thus carrying the baby Jesus (=Christopher).
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