Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment)

Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment)

Title

Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment)

[cda 2017]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 184]

This depiction of the head of St John the Baptist on a platter is part of a larger composition that together with another fragment originally showed Salome with the head of St John the Baptist.

[see Heydenreich, Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 184]

Attribution
Master IW

Attribution

Master IW

[Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 184]

Production date
about 1525

Production date

about 1525

[Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 184]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 37.1 x 54.7 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 37.1 x 54.7 cm

  • [Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 184]

Signature / Dating

None

Inscriptions and Labels

None

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

  • None

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P166
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P166/

Exhibitions

Düsseldorf 2017, No. 184

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017 291 No. 184
EditorGunnar Heydenreich, Daniel Görres, Beat Wismer
TitleLucas Cranach der Ältere. Meister - Marke - Moderne. [anlässlich der Ausstellung "Cranach. Meister - Marke - Moderne", Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, 08. April 2017 - 30. Juli 2017]
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2017

Research History / Discussion

The two fragments were originally one painting depicting Salome holding the severed head of John the Baptist in a bowl in front of her. At some stage the upper and lower halves of the painting were separated and sold. The connection between the fragments was first recognized within the context of the Cranach Digital Archive research project. In the exhibition that this publication accompanies both parts (now held in Italian and German private collections) are reunited for the first time.

Although the work is neither signed nor dated stylistic features and characteristic techniques support an attribution to the Master IW. The pale flesh paint, the striking waist-line and the laced bodice as well as the slit sleeves lined with brocade inserts also distinguish the following panels: ‘Judith with the Head of Holofernes’ (1525, Prague),’ Lucretia’ (1525, private collection) and ‘Salome with the Head of St John the Baptist’ (about 1525, private collection). The identity of the Master IW has not yet been clarified. We do however know that he was active in the Cranach workshop until about 1520 and probably moved to Bohemia due to a decline in the commissions for altarpieces in connection with the Reformation. Here he produced numerous works using templates from the Cranach workshop. Until about 1550 he was the most important mediator of Cranach’s style in Bohemia.

[Heydenreich, Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017, 291, No. 183]

  • Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment), about 1525

Images

Compare images
  • overall
  • overall
  • reverse
  • irr
  • x_radiograph
  • detail
  • detail

Technical studies

11. 2013Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • X-radiography
  • x_radiograph
  • created by Hans Portsteffen
  • created by Technische Hochschule Köln

09. 2013Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- fluid, dark medium, brush

Type/Ductus:

- economic, freehand underdrawing

- thin lines

Function:

- binding for the final painted version (where visible); the lines define the main contours and describe facial features; no representation of volume with hatching strokes

Deviations:

- only very minor corrections were made to forms during the painting process

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Master IW or workshop

[Sandner, Heydenreich, Smith-Contini, cda 2017]

  • photographed by Ingo Sandner
  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P166/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Plate with the head of St John the Baptist (fragment)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P166/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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