The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz)

The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz)

Title

The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz)

[cda 2018]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[cda 2018]

Representation of the crucifixion with the two thieves and additional figures at the foot of the cross. In the foreground the deceased is shown kneeling in prayer together with his wife and their son and daughters. At the right is a group of soldiers gambling for Christ's robe.

[Gurlitt 1908,

Representation of the crucifixion with the two thieves and additional figures at the foot of the cross. In the foreground the deceased is shown kneeling in prayer together with his wife and their son and daughters. At the right is a group of soldiers gambling for Christ's robe.

[Gurlitt 1908, 122]

Attribution
Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger

Attribution

Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger

[cda 2018]

Production date
1576

Production date

1576

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 152 x 115 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 152 x 115 cm

  • Dimensions including frame: 500 x 245 cm

  • [Gurlitt 1908, 120-122]

Inscriptions and Labels
  • on the pedestal: 'Anno 1576 den 29 Septe. Ist der edle gestreng vnd/ erenveste. Frantz von Nostitz auf Leichnam …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • on the pedestal:

  • 'Anno 1576 den 29 Septe. Ist der edle gestreng vnd/ erenveste. Frantz von Nostitz auf Leichnam . dieser Kirchen / Mitcollator beim (?) Herrn seliglichen entschlafen...'

    • attached to the vertical members of the frame in the wrong order:

  • the coats of arms of von Aldenberg, von Kreckwitz, von Uechtritz, von Nostitz, von Hocberg, von Rothschitz, von Gersdorf, von Nostitz

  • [Gurlitt 1908, 122]

Owner
Dorfkirche, Klix
Repository
Dorfkirche, Klix
Location
Grossdubrau
CDA ID
DE_KDK_DK-001
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_KDK_DK-001/

Provenance

  • ca. 1576 commissioned as an epitaph for Franz von Nostitz [probably for the parish church, Klix]
    [Gurlitt 1908, 122]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Gurlitt 1908 120-122
AuthorCornelius Gurlitt
TitleBeschreibende Darstellung der älteren Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler des Königsreichs Sachsen. Unter Mitwirkung des K. Sächsischen Altertumsvereins
Volume31
Place of PublicationDresden
Year of Publication1908
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

According to [Gurlitt 1908, 120-121] the frame consists of two heads supporting a pedestal with four consoles jutting out at the sides and front, each bearing a Corinthian column. The entablature is decorated at either side with a cherub’s head and has a cartouche-like superstructure with the Nostitzsch family’s coat of arms in the central oval field. Two children recline on left and right, and hold an hourglass and a skull respectively. A wise female figure crowns the entire structure, while another female figure and the figure of Charity with a child in her arms stand either side.

  • The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz), 1576

Images

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Technical studies

03. 2018Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- fluid, black medium, brush; the initial design was executed using a dry drawing material, stylus

Type/Ductus:

- freehand, detailed underdrawing with searching lines; presumably after a pre-existing design

- delicate to somewhat broader lines

Function:

- relatively (and occasionally only roughly) binding for the final painted version; the lines delineate the main contours and describe essential details and facial features; no representation of volume with hatching strokes

Deviations:

- corrections were made to forms during the painting process; various changes (e. g. the heads of the donor children, the men in the background on the right hand side, the hat of the man with the dagger in the foreground on the left)

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger

[Sandner, Smith-Contini, Heydenreich, cda 2019]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

Condition Reports

Date1908

The panel exhibits extensive woodworm damage

[Gurlitt 1908, 122]

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_KDK_DK-001/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Crucifixion (Epitaph for Franz von Nostitz)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_KDK_DK-001/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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