The author shows us the detail of a young man’s face. In fact, the painter seized the moment in which Jesus departs from Joseph’s house and starts His mission, saying goodbye to his mother. Christ’s face, unlike the other two characters on the scene (Mary who looks suffering and the man, who looks sad and who is taking her away from her son- he might be Joseph -), is almost detached. The cross He is carrying becomes the key to understand the thoughts that run through that young man’s mind. He is not worried about the detachment from His parents’ house or from his friends but He is thinking about His mission, which will bring Him to give His life for the world’s salvation.

His hair is clean and combed, his profile is perfect, His complexion rosy: who could imagine that this nice face will be tumefied by the wickedness of men?

Sweet and longed for Christ, you are more startling than any man! How beautiful is your divine-human image! It resulted to be a source of divine graces. (Nicodemus Hagiorita)