The Elevation of the Cross is an accurate biblical representation of the crucifixion of Christ, in keeping with the specific guidelines for art as produced by the Council of Trent. Rubens emanates the spirit of the catholic reform by representing the victorious nature of Christ's death while maintaining his divine nature. Rubens's visual argument on human sin, judgment, the elevation of the cross, the plea for forgiveness, and the acts of penitence, follows Johannes Herolt's collection of sermons from 1435, widely used in Rubens' time. Rubens contrasts the uniqueness of Christ's plea for forgiveness with quotations from ancient depictions of the vengeance of the gods (Laocoon, Niobids, Farnese Bull).
