The Descent from the Cross by David Folley was commissioned by Rev. Raymond Chudley to mark his retirement in 1996 as team leader of St Andrew's Church, Wickford, Essex. Over the centuries The Descent from the Cross or Deposition of Christ or Descent of Christ from the Cross, has been a common subject in Christian art. Famous examples from the old masters include those by Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Jacopo Pontormo and Rogier van der Weyden whose work influenced Folley's geometric composition.