Christ and the Virgin

Christ and the Virgin

Titles

Christ and the Virgin

[CDA 2010]

Christ and Mary Magdalene

[Ritschel 2007, 75-98]

Christ with the Virgin or Mary Magdalene

[Exhib. Cat. Frankfurt 2007, 61]

Christus und Maria

'Christus und Maria, zwei Köpfe mit schönen, regelmässigen Zügen, blauen Augen und rothblonden Haaren, Studie auf Pergament, auf schwarzem Grunde in warmem gelbrothen Fleischton sorgfältig ausgeführt, doch schwerlich gut erhalten', [Aldenhoven 1890, No. 339][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Studienköpfe des Heilands und der heiligen Catharina

[Schneider 1880, No. 36][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Brustbild des Heilands und ein weiblicher Kopf

'Brustbild des Heilands und ein weiblicher Kopf. Studienskizze zu dem grösseren Gemälde dieses Meisters 'Die Ehebrecherin' in der Pinakothek zu München', [Schneider 1868, Abt. V, No. 81][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Christus und Katharina

[Rathgeber 1835, 112f.][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Brustbild des Heilands und der heiligen Katharina

[Verzeichnis 1826, fol. 69, No. 138][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Der Herr Christus nebst seiner Braut aus den Hohenlied Salamonis

'Der Herr Christus nebst seiner Braut aus den Hohenlied Salamonis, in kleinen Figuren auf Holtz gemahlet', [Inventar 1733, fol. 180, No. 88][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Des Herrn Christi und seiner Mutter Maria

'Des Herrn Christi und seiner Mutter Maria Häupter sambt deren Schultern auf einem langligten', [Inventar 1721, fol. 483, No. 11][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Joßeph mit Maria

'In der Bilder Cammer unter dem Tach' No. 10 [Nachlassinventar 168, No. 10][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Painting on parchment laminated onto a wooden panel consisting of two oak planks

Medium

Painting on parchment laminated onto a wooden panel consisting of two oak planks

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18, 214]
[Klein, Report 1994]

Christ and the Virgin, two heads with regular features, blue eyes and reddish blond hair, study on parchment, carefully executed in warm yellowish red flesh tones on a black ground, but not very well preserved.

[http://www.museen.thueringen.de/Objekt/DE-MUS-871312/lido/obj-13850055; accessed 20 Oct 2015]

Attributions
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attributions

Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Exhib. Cat. Lübeck 2021, no. 39]
[Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003, 172, no. 31]
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]
"Lucas Cranach d. Aelt"
[Aldenhoven 1890, no. 339][1]
"Cranach, Lucas. Brustbild des Heilands und ein weiblicher Kopf. Studienskizze zu dem grösseren Gemälde dieses Meisters 'Die Ehebrecherin' in der Pinakothek zu München'", [Schneider 1868, Abt. V, no. 81][1]
[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994, no. 189]

Albrecht Dürer

'Von Albrecht Dürrer, nach dem Jacob de Palma - copirt',
[Inventory 1721, fol. 483, no. 11][1]

'Dürer, Albrecht 'Brustbild des Heilands und der heillgen Katharina'
[Inventory 1764, fol. 194, no. 88] [Inventory 1826, fol. 69, no. 138][1]

'A. Dürer, Christus und Katharina'
[Rathgeber 1835, 112f.][1]

[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Circle of Albrecht Dürer

'DÜRERS, A., Schule, Studienköpfe des Heilands und der heiligen Catharina.'- Dürer nach Jacob Palma (Palma Vecchio).'
[Schneider 1880, no. 361][1]

[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Production dates
about 1516 - 1520
1508

Production dates

about 1516 - 1520

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18] [Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003, 172, No. 31]

about 1510

[Exhib. Cat. Lübeck 2021, no. 39]

1508

'According to a handwritten manuscript by Schenk zu Schweinsbergs about Cranach from about 1938 it was executed in 1508 while Cranach was in the Netherlands. The oak wood support served as evidence.'
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

about 1515 - 1520

[Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994, no. 189]

about 1512-1515

[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932, 39]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 34.2 x 52.7 cm [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 34.2 x 52.7 cm [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

  • Dimensions including frame: 47.8 x 66 cm

Signature / Dating

None

Owner
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Repository
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Location
Gotha
CDA ID
DE_SMG_SG14
FR (1978) Nr.
FR054B
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG14/

Provenance

  • acquired before 1721
    [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Exhibitions

Weimar and Wittenberg 1953, no. 8
Weimar 1972, Fig. 42
Berlin 1983, no. E22
Berlin 1985, no. 337A
Gotha 1994
Kronach 1994, no. 189
Gotha 2001, no. 1.3
Hamburg 2003, no. 31
Frankfurt 2007
Brussels 2010
Lübeck 2021, no. 39

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Lübeck 2021 232, 233 039 Fig. p. 233
EditorDagmar Täube
TitleLucas Cranach der Ältere und Hans Kemmer. Meistermaler zwischen Renaissance und Reformation [Lübeck, St. Annen-Museum]
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2021
Show Literature
Sandner 2021 76
AuthorIngo Sandner
TitleDie Werkstattpraxis Lucas Cranach des Älteren
Publicationin Dagmar Täube, ed., Lucas Cranach der Ältere und Hans Kemmer. Meistermaler zwischen Renaissance und Reformation [Lübeck, St. Annen-Museum]
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2021
Pages71-81
Show Literature
Cat. Coburg 2018 204, fn. 2 under no. 45
AuthorKlaus Weschenfelder
TitleCranach in Coburg. Gemälde von Lucas Cranach d.Ä., Lucas Cranach d.J., der Werkstatt und des Umkreises in den Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2018
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Brussels 2010 144-145, 146 73 pp. 73, 181
EditorBozarbooks & Lannoo, Guido Messling
TitleDie Welt des Lucas Cranach. Ein Künstler im Zeitalter von Dürer, Tizian und Metsys [anlässlich der Ausstellung "Die Welt des Lucas Cranach", Palast der Schönen Künste, Brüssel, 20. Oktober 2010 - 23. Januar 2011]
Place of PublicationBrussels
Year of Publication2010
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Frankfurt 2007 242-243 61 p. 243
EditorBodo Brinkmann
TitleCranach der Ältere, [Frankfurt, Städel Museum, 23 Nov 2007 - 17 Feb 2008]
Place of PublicationOstfildern
Year of Publication2007
Show Literature
Heydenreich 2007 B 33
AuthorGunnar Heydenreich
Title"... dass Du mit wunderbarer Schnelligkeit malest". Virtuosität und Effizienz in der künstlerischen Praxis Lucas Cranachs d. Ä.
Publicationin Bodo Brinkmann, ed., Cranach der Ältere, Exhib. Cat. FrankfurtA
Place of PublicationOstfildern
Year of Publication2007
Pages29-47
Show Literature
Ritschel 2007 75-98
AuthorIris Ritschel
TitleChristus und ... ?. Ein legendäres Paar auf Pergament im Schlossmuseum Gotha
Publicationin Andreas Tacke, ed., Lucas Cranach 1553/2003. Wittenberger Tagungsbeiträge anlässlich des 450. Todesjahres Lucas Cranach des Älteren
SeriesSchriften der Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten in Sachsen-Anhalt
Volume7
Place of PublicationLeipzig
Year of Publication2007
Pages75-98
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Chemnitz 2005 453, 454, 456 under No. 38
EditorHarald Marx, Karin Kolb, Ingrid Mössinger
TitleCranach Anlässlich der Ausstellung Cranach vom 13. November 2005 bis 12. März 2006 in den Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz. Eine Ausstellung in Kooperation mit der Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Place of PublicationCologne
Year of Publication2005
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003 47, 172 031 Pl. 31
EditorBucerius Kunst Forum, Werner Schade
TitleLucas Cranach. Glaube, Mythologie und Moderne [Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg]
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Show Literature
Schade 2003 13 Fig. 2
AuthorWerner Schade
TitleBildhaftigkeit bei Cranach
Publicationin Heiz Spielmann, Werner Schade, eds., Lucas Cranach Glaube Mythologie und Maderne , Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Pages12-21
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2001 1.3
EditorGotha Kultur, Allmuth Schuttwolf
TitleErnst der Fromme (1601-1675), Bauherr und Sammler. Katalog zum 400. Geburtstag Herzog Ernsts I. von Sachsen-Gotha und Altenburg
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication2001
Show Literature
Erichsen 1994 B 183
AuthorJohannes Erichsen
TitleVorlagen und Werkstattmodelle bei Lucas Cranach
Publicationin Claus Grimm, Johannes Erichsen, Evamaria Brockhof, eds., Lucas Cranach. Ein Maler-Unternehmer aus Franken, Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994
SeriesVeröffentlichungen zur bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur
Volume26/94
Place of PublicationAugsburg, Coburg
Year of Publication1994
Pages180-185
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994 18
EditorStiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
TitleGotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994 362 189 Pl. 189
EditorClaus Grimm, Johannes Erichsen, Evamaria Brockhoff
TitleLucas Cranach. Ein Maler-Unternehmer aus Franken [Festung Rosenberg, Kronach 17.05 - 21.08.1994; Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig 07.09 - 06.11.1994]
SeriesVeröffentlichungen zur bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur
Volume26
Place of PublicationAugsburg, Coburg
Year of Publication1994
Show Literature
Klein 1994 A 196 Tab. 3
AuthorPeter Klein
TitleLucas Cranach und seine Werkstatt. Holzarten und dendrochronologische Analyse
Publicationin Claus Grimm, Johannes Erichsen, Evamaria Brockhoff, eds.,Lucas Cranach. Ein Maler-Unternehmer aus Franken, Exhib. Cat. Kronach 1994
SeriesVeröffentlichungen zur bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur
Volume26
Place of PublicationAugsburg, Coburg
Year of Publication1994
Pages194-200
Show Literature
Klein 1994 B 210, 214, 215
AuthorPeter Klein
TitleHolzartenbestimmung und dendrochronologische Analyse an Gemäldetafeln von Lucas Cranach d.Ä. und seiner Werkstatt
PublicationAllmuth Schuttwolf, ed., Gotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen, Exhib. Cat. Gotha
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Pages210-219
Show Literature
Schade, Schuttwolf 1994 18, 19, 34 1.2 Fig. p. 18, Pl. p. 34
AuthorWerner Schade, Allmuth Schuttwolf
TitleMalerei und Plastik
Publicationin Allmuth Schuttwolf, ed., Gotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen, Exhib. Cat. Gotha
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Pages15-94
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Berlin 1985 337A
EditorAltes Museum, Berlin
TitleWeltschätze der Kunst - der Menschheit bewahrt
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1985
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Berlin 1983 E22
EditorAltes Museum, Berlin
TitleKunst der Reformationzeit
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1983
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 80 No. 54B
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Weimar 1972 B Fig. 42
EditorSchlossmuseum Weimar
TitleLucas Cranach 1472-1553. Ein großer Maler in bewegter Zeit
Place of PublicationWeimar
Year of Publication1972
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Weimar, Wittenberg 1953 No. 8
AuthorWalther Scheidig
EditorDeutsche Lucas Cranach Komitee
TitleLucas Cranach Ausstellung. Weimar und Wittenberg
Place of PublicationWeimar, Wittenberg
Year of Publication1953
Show Literature
Lüdecke 1953 A pl. 110
AuthorHeinz Lüdecke
TitleLucas Cranach der Ältere im Spiegel seiner Zeit. Aus Urkunden, Chroniken, Briefen, Reden und Gedichten
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1953
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932 39
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1932
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/friedlaender1932
Show Literature
Flechsig 1900 A 99
AuthorEduard Flechsig
TitleCranachstudien
Volume1
Place of PublicationLeipzig
Year of Publication1900
Link page/n5/mode/2up
Show Literature
Parthey 1863-1864 686 (Bd. 1) No. 140
AuthorGustav Parthey
TitleDeutscher Bildersaal. Verzeichnis der in Deutschland vorhandenen Oelbilder verstorbener Maler aller Schulen
Volume1, 2
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1864
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

'...like the paintings No. 48 and 49 this work in the museum of Gotha (No. 339, on parchment) depicting the heads of both Christ and the Virgin, shows a dependency on Dürer. His influence on Cranach in these years has already been emphasised (see No. 28, 40, 41, 43). The frontal figure of Christ in the Gotha painting could also originate from a work by Jacopo de Barbari, Cranach's predecessor in Wittenberg (see Hevesy, Jacopo de Barbari, Plate XIX).'

[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932, 39, under No. 48]

  • Christ and the Virgin, about 1516 - 1520

Images

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  • conservation
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Documents

Technical studies

04. 2010Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

- an underdrawing is not visible

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2012]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

17.03.1994Scientific analysis

  • Identification of wood species / Dendrochronology

Support

'139 annual rings were measured on the upper plank (Plank I) of the panel and 128 on the second plank. The wood employed was originally from Poland/the Baltic. A comparison with the spectra from this area showed that the annual rings of plank I dated between 1485 and 1347 and those of plank II between 1478 and 1351. The latest heartwood ring dates back to the year 1485.

Taking the sapwood statistics for Eastern Europe into consideration the earliest date of felling is 1494, however a felling date between 1498, 1500, 1504+ x is statistically more likely. Assuming there are an average of 15 sapwood rings and the wood was seasoned for two years the painting could not have been painted before 1502.'

[Peter Klein 1990; Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

  • analysed by Peter Klein

1733Technical Examination

Support

'Christ beside his bride from the Song of Solomon, painted in small figures on wood'

[Inventory 1733, fol. 180, No. 88][1]

[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

  • X-radiography
  • x_radiograph
  • x_radiograph
  • x_radiograph
  • x_radiograph

Condition Reports

Date1890

'Lucas Cranach the Elder 'Christ and the Virgin', two heads with beautiful and consistant traits, blue eyes and reddish blond hair, study on parchment, carefully executed on a black ground in warm yellowish red flesh tone and remarkably well preserved.'

[Aldenhoven 1890, No. 339][1]

[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

Conservation History

Date1995 - 1997

  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation

see thumbs:

  • conservation treatment by Angela Möller
  • photographed by Asmus Steuerlein

Date1993 - 1994

'Comprehensive conservation treatment: old and degraded varnish layers were removed; the paint layers were cleaned and consolidated; losses were retouched'

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 18]

  • conservation treatment by Angela Möller

Date1965

Willful damage caused by an acid attack was treated immediately.

[Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, revised 2011]

Date1835

'The painting has suffered somewhat, but Kühners (1804-52 Board of Directors of the Paintings and Drawings Collection - A.S.) able hand, which handled everything with great care and made no painterly additions, saved it from further demise. In the damaged areas the old can be seen through a veil, but it can be clearly seen.'

[Rathgeber 1835, 113, Fn. 5]

  • written by Georg Rathgeber

Versions

Head of the Virgin (?)
  • Head of the Virgin (?), about 1520 - 1540
  • DE_BStGS_12475
  • Painting
  • Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Christ and the Virgin', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG14/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Christ and the Virgin', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG14/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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