A group of muscular men strain together to lift a heavy wooden cross bearing the body of Christ, whose pale, wounded form dominates the center of the scene. Christ’s arms are stretched upwards, nailed to the crossbeam, his head tilted to the right and his face marked by pain and resignation. Blood streams from his hands and feet, catching the light against his white skin and the cloth wrapped around his waist.

To the left, a soldier in gleaming armor braces himself, pushing upwards with his back and arms, while another man behind him grips the wood with both hands. In the foreground, a powerful figure in a blue garment bends low, his muscles tensed as he heaves the base of the cross upwards. Another figure, older and with white hair and beard, crouches at the bottom right, supporting the cross with his shoulder and hands.

A large dog, its mouth open and tongue visible, sits at the lower left, watching the tumultuous scene. The background is filled with gnarled trees and dark foliage, their twisting branches framing the drama, while a patch of blue sky opens at the upper right. Strong contrasts of light and shadow model the figures, highlighting their anatomy and lending a sense of immediacy and movement.

The brushwork is energetic and visible, especially in the rendering of flesh and drapery, with vibrant reds, blues, and earth tones set against deep shadows. Diagonal lines dominate the composition, from the slant of the cross to the straining bodies, creating a dynamic sense of upward force. Small details, such as the veins bulging in the men’s arms and the texture of the dog’s fur, reveal the artist’s close observation and technical skill. Elevation of the Cross (central panel) was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1609–1610.