The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion

Painting on walnut wood

Medium

Painting on walnut wood

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Instead of the usual multi-figured depiction of the crucifixion this work shows Christ and the converted centurion as forsaken counterparts. The latter sits in contemporary dress on the back of his white horse and looks up at the crucified figure. Christ's pale body contrasts with the black background, that alludes to the darkness, which according to Lk 23, 44 prevailed during the last three hours before his death. The composition is framed by the two thieves crucified with Christ.

[see: Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, No. 102]

Attribution: Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Dating: about 1600

Dating

about 1600

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Dimensions: Dimensions of support: 49.6 x 34.5 cm

Dimensions

Dimensions of support: 49.6 x 34.5 cm
[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Signature / Dating: Artist's insignia at the bottom right edge: serpent and dated '1516'

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia at the bottom right edge: serpent and dated '1516'
(not genuine)
[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Inscriptions: Above Christ: 'VATER IN DEIN HENT BEFIL ICH MEIN GAIST' (Lk 23,46)

above the converted Centurion:
'WARLICH DISER MENSCH IST …

Inscriptions

Inscriptions:

Above Christ:
'VATER IN DEIN HENT BEFIL ICH MEIN GAIST' (Lk 23,46)
above the converted Centurion:
'WARLICH DISER MENSCH IST GOTTS SVN GEWESEN' (Lk 23, 47)

Labels: On the reverse: - hardly readable inscription: 'R.V. an[?] J.M. Mayer von Legau' (?)
[Cat. Kronach 2014, …

Labels

later inscription, stamps, seals, labels:

On the reverse: - hardly readable inscription: 'R.V. an[?] J.M. Mayer von Legau' (?)
[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Owner: Bayerisches Nationalmuseum
Repository: Fränkische Galerie, Kronach
Location: Kronach

CDA ID: DE_BNMM-FGK_R35
FR (1978) Nr.: FR-none
Persistent Link: https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R35/

Provenance

- 1860 acquired with the collection of Martin Josep von Reider, Bamberg
[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102]

Research History / Discussion

Numerous very similar versions of this composition produced in the Cranach workshop have survived. Of these the composition of this painting corresponds to the versions [US_NGA_1961-9-69], dated 1539 and [DE_BStGS_13255] dated 1539. [...] However, the signature and date '1516' certainly do not stem from the Cranach workshop. The execution of details and the manner in which the light falling on Christ's body is represented suggest that the work was created during the so-called Dürer renaissance in the 17th century.

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 268-269, no. 102] (Translation, cda 2016)

The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion, about 1600

Images

Versions1

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author: <author's name>, 'The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R35/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author: 'The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R35/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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