Christ Blessing the Children

Title

[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

In the centre of a crowded composition Christ is depicted in the act of blessing, while holding a child on his arm. Women in luxurious renaissance attire bring him more children [...]. On the panel, which has been trimmed on both sides, a male head is visible at the top right. He represents the apostles, who observe the scene critically. The subject, which was rarely depicted before the 16th century, occupied a central role in reformation iconography.

[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

Attributions: Master HB (with a griffin's head)
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attributions

Master HB (with a griffin's head)	[cda 2015]
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder	[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

Production date: 155[.]

Production date

155[.]

[fragmentary dated]

Dimensions: Dimensions of support: 122,5 x 106 cm (trimmed on left and right edge)

Dimensions

Dimensions of support: 122,5 x 106 cm (trimmed on left and right edge)
[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

Signature / Dating: Artist's insignia at the top right: head of a griffin and date '155[.]'

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia at the top right: head of a griffin and date '155[.]'
[Cat. Mainz 2008, No. 74]

Inscriptions and Labels

at the top edge: 'Lasset die Kindlin zu mir komen . und weret in nicht . Denn solcher ist …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

- at the top edge:
'Lasset die Kindlin zu mir komen . und weret in nicht . Denn solcher ist das Reich Gottes . Marci x.'
[Görres, cda 2015]

Owner: Bischöfliches Dom- und Diözesanmuseum Mainz
Repository: Bischöfliches Dom- und Diözesanmuseum Mainz
Location: Mainz

CDA ID: DE_BDDM_M00524
FR (1978) Nr.: FR-none
Persistent Link: https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BDDM_M00524/

Exhibitions

Mainz 2015/2016

Literature

Reference on page

Catalogue Number

Figure / Plate

Cat. Mainz 2008

Editor	Hans-Jürgen Kotzur
Title	Dommuseum Mainz. Führer durch die Sammlung
Place of Publication	Mainz
Year of Publication	2008

Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

Two slightly smaller variants of this composition are known to exist: one formerly in Berlin and now lost [DE_smbGG-Lost_2126]and other in a private collectioin [PRIVATE_NONE-P236]. The lettering and content of the biblical quotation from Mark 10, 14 diverge slightly on all three paintings. Furthermore, this variant and the one in a private collectioj both exhibit the griffin head cypher associated with the monogrammist HB, whereas the lost painting was signed with both the Cranach insignia of the winged serpent and the monogram 'HB'.

[cda 2021]

Christ Blessing the Children, 155[.]

Images

Technical studies

06. 2015Technical examination / Scientific analysis

Infrared reflectography

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- fluid, black medium, brush

Type/Ductus:

- detailed and freehand underdrawing

- thin to somewhat broader lines

Function:

- only roughly binding for the final painted version; lines define the main contours and describe essential details and facial features; hatching-strokes were only used for the child in the foreground

Deviations:

- numerous minor corrections were made to forms during the painting process; small changes

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- not possible

[Sandner, Smith-Contini, Heydenreich, cda 2016]

photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
photographed by Ingo Sandner

Versions

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author: <author's name>, 'Christ Blessing the Children', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BDDM_M00524/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author: 'Christ Blessing the Children', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BDDM_M00524/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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