Volet gauche du retable de la confrérie de la Sainte-Croix à Furnes. Avers : Sainte Hélène devant le pape à Rome. Revers : Le Christ succombant sous la croix

Bernard van Orley's treatment of this sacred subject in 1517 exemplifies the sixteenth-century approach to sacred subjects, balancing theological orthodoxy with artistic innovation. Painted at the height of the High Renaissance, the work draws on centuries of iconographic tradition while expressing Bernard van Orley's individual interpretation of the divine narrative. The early sixteenth century marked the summit of Renaissance art, as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael achieved a classical perfection of form that would influence European painting for centuries.

The devotional work is executed with skilled technique, reflecting Bernard van Orley's engagement with the demands of religious painting. The composition balances narrative clarity with spiritual atmosphere, using careful observation to heighten the sacred drama.