I found Matthias Grünewald’s altarpiece particularly intriguing, especially the center panel. The concept of this scene not being a narrative, but the idea of the crucifixion is fascinating, as the painting was tailored to be an object of worship, not true to life. The utter blackness of the background is not consistent with the actual story, but alludes to the tone of the scene. Additionally, Saint John the Baptist is depicted next to Christ, despite having already passed away at the time of Christ’s death upon the cross. The sacrificial lamb in the bottom of the scene is holding a cross and bleeding into a chalice, clearly a metaphorical figure and not an actual animal. The entire composition of the painting is metaphorical, straying far from the actual biblical narrative. This demonstrate’s the painting’s primary use as an object of worship, not merely a narrative work. It is tailored for its setting, rather than existing in a vacuum.