On the ornament of painting – The liberty of the istoria
In contrast to poetic painting, in historical painting, there is almost no freedom.
The crucifixion
In the course of the passage, the participants discuss elements of the crucifixion.
On the appropriate opportunities for painters to show their skills
Having previously criticised the graceful representation of the body of Christ in the Passion, the participants in the dialogue now offer the artist options in which he can demonstrate his skill, according to the iconography he is trying to represent.
On bearded Angels and the Crucifixion
In this part of the dialogue, the characters discuss the artists of the past.
How to represent Christ in the cross
,
1556Francisco Pacheco in this passage created a response to Francisco de Rioja with the intention of counter-arguing him on his theory that Christ would be crucified with three nails, instead of four. Also, the author states that Christ should be not naked, but rather wear a white cloth and use the crown of thorns on the Cross.
Good Thief is painted on Jesus his right hand
Molanus argues that the good thief has to be placed at the right of Christ.
Christ carrying the Cross while hurt by the nails
Molanus disapproves of a recently invented way of depicting Christ bearing the cross, which shows two beams fitted with nails hurting him.