The scene depicted is that of Christ carrying the cross on the path to the hill of Golgotha, to be crucified. The action is developed with great theatricality by mwans of the gestures and attitudes of the characters, and of numerous details. Colour plays an important role here, with tone and contrast being usd to create illusionistic effects. In this canvas Tiepolo returns to a theme he had previously painted for the church of Sant'Alvise, in Venice.