Final answer:
In Francisco Goya's painting, the figure with raised arms is illuminated, reflecting the Christian iconography of Christ's crucifixion and emphasizing the narrative of sacrifice and martyrdom.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the painting by Francisco Goya, the figure with his arms raised is illuminated by the blood below him and the direction the other figures are facing. This painting, titled The Third of May, 1808, depicts the summary execution of Spanish resistance fighters by Napoleon's armies. The central figure is shown in a white shirt, and his pose is reminiscent of a crucifixion, suggestive of a Christ-like figure about to be sacrificed. The lantern in the scene casts a spiritual light on him, drawing attention to his emotional expression and further emphasizing his role as a martyr for his nation.
The expressive anguish in his face, along with the stigmata on his hand, echo the iconography of Christ's crucifixion. Francisco Goya uses this narrative content, along with the compositional elements of the painting, to convey a message about man's inhumanity to man and the timeless nature of such brutality.