The Converted Centurion under the Cross

The Converted Centurion under the Cross

Title

The Converted Centurion under the Cross

[CDA 2011]

Painting on wood, probably beech wood, transferred to an oak panel (therefore dendrochronology not possible)

Medium

Painting on wood, probably beech wood, transferred to an oak panel (therefore dendrochronology not possible)

[Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2011]

Christ is depicted frontally on the cross. The centurion sits on a white horse beneath the cross and looks up. The thieves are shown on the left and right edges of the panel. All the other biblical characters have been omitted from this composition.

Attributions
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Younger

Attributions

Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2011]

Lucas Cranach the Younger

[Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2011]

Production date
1539

Production date

1539

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 51.5 x 34 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 51.5 x 34 cm

  • [Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2011]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia bottom right: Monogramme 'LC' (linked) and dated '1539'

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia bottom right: Monogramme 'LC' (linked) and dated '1539'

  • [Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2010]

Inscriptions and Labels

  • at the top edge:
    'VATER IN DEIN HENT BEFIL ICH MEIN GAIST'

  • under Christ's cross:
    'WARLICH DISER MENSCH IST GOTES …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • at the top edge:

  • 'VATER IN DEIN HENT BEFIL ICH MEIN GAIST'

    • under Christ's cross:

  • 'WARLICH DISER MENSCH IST GOTES SON GEWEST'

Owner
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
Repository
Staatsgalerie im Schloss Johannisburg, Aschaffenburg
Location
Aschaffenburg
CDA ID
DE_BStGS_13255
FR (1978) Nr.
FR378
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_13255/

Provenance

  • in the collection of Fürst Lippe, Bückeburg (private collection, Germany)[1]
  • 1929, Rosenbaum, Frankfurt (private collection, Germany)[1]
  • Theodor Fischer, Lucerne (part of an exchange for confiscated painting from the ERR), 03.07.1941 (art market, Switzerland)[1]
  • whereabouts after 1945: Bavaria, Bay. Staatsgemäldesammlungen: 13255 [1]
  • 1961 transferred from State property

[1]Göring Collection: DHM database:
http://www.dhm.de/datenbank/goering/dhm_goering.php?seite=5&fld_0=RMG00494

[Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2011]

See also the entry in the Lost Art-Database, Stiftung Deutsches Zentrum für Kulturgutverluste: Lost Art-ID 391052; http://www.lostart.de/DE/Fund/391052 (accessed 17 Dec. 2019).

Exhibitions

Rome 2010, No. 44
Munich 2011, No. 20

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Sitt, Monsees 2015 316
AuthorMartina Sitt, Désirée Monsees
TitleDer einsame Christus am Kreuz - ein Bildtypus von Cranach dem Jüngeren in der pro-reformatorischen, bildlichen Argumentation
Publicationin Elke A. Werner, Anne Eusterschulte, Gunnar Heydenreich, eds., Lucas Cranach der Jüngere und die Reformation der Bilder
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2015
Pages308-317
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011 102-103, 144 Nos. 20, 13255 Fig. p. 103
AuthorMartin Schawe
EditorBayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
TitleCranach in Bayern
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2011
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Rome 2010 266 - 268 No. 44 Pl. p. 267
EditorGalleria Borghese, Rome, Anna Coliva, Bernard Aikema
TitleCranach. L'altro rinascimento / a different renaissance, [Rome, Galleria Borghese 15 ottobre 2010 - 13 febbraio 2011]
Place of PublicationMilan
Year of Publication2010
Show Literature
Ermischer 2007 32 Fig. 22
AuthorGerhard Ermischer
TitleCranach im Exil - Porträt einer bewegten Epoche
Publicationin Gerhard Ermischer, Andreas Tacke, eds., Cranach im Exil. Aschaffenburg um 1540. Zuflucht, Schatzkammer, Residenz, Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2007
Pages13-53
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg 2007 315 No. 61 Fig. p. 315
EditorGerhard Ermischer, Andreas Tacke
TitleCranach im Exil. Aschaffenburg um 1540. Zuflucht - Schatzkammer - Residenz. Ausstellungskatalog Schloss Johannisburg und Kunsthalle Jesuitenkirche
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2007
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 146 No. 378 Fig. 378
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

The depiction of 'The Converted Centurion under the Cross' is a motif from Reformation iconography. Two unbaptised figures are blessed by their faith alone: the centurion under the cross and the thief who is turned towards Christ. The didactic purpose of the image is emphasized by the omission of of all other figures mentioned in association with this scene in the Bible and by the inscription.

[Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 102, No. 20]

  • The Converted Centurion under the Cross, 1539

Images

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Technical studies

06. 2012Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

- An underdrawing is not readily visible; occasionally (particularly in the region of the horse) isolated lines are visible that may belong to an economic underdrawing

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- not possible

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2016]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner
  • X-radiography
  • x_radiograph

Versions

The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion
  • The Crucifixion with the Converted Centurion, 1536
  • US_NGA_1961-9-69
  • Painting
  • National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C.

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Converted Centurion under the Cross', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_13255/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Converted Centurion under the Cross', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_13255/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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