The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion

Title

The Crucifixion

[cda 2020]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1975, 27, no. 389]

In formal terms the painting refers to the type of crowded Calvary scene that was made popular by the Cranach workshop. Christ and the two thieves are positioned against an empty sky, raised high above the throng of onlookers and soldiers on horseback. It is only the lances that penetrate

In formal terms the painting refers to the type of crowded Calvary scene that was made popular by the Cranach workshop. Christ and the two thieves are positioned against an empty sky, raised high above the throng of onlookers and soldiers on horseback. It is only the lances that penetrate this space. The good thief, crucified at Jesus's right hand, gazes up at him with acceptance, while the bad thief looks away. This conventional division of positive and negative on either side of the cross continues below with the mourning friends of Christ occupy the lower left corner of the composition. The swooning Virgin is supported by Saint John the Evangelist and two women. Opposite these holy figures are the soldiers who cast dice to determine who will take possession of Christ's clothing.

[cda 2020]

Attributions
Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder
Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attributions

Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder

or circle? [Letter from D. Koepplin, 04.03.1994; Koepplin Archive]

Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder

or follower? [Letter from D. Koepplin, 04.03.1994; Koepplin Archive], [Dorotheum online database; accessed 28.11.2024]

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1975, 27, no. 389]

Production date
1542

Production date

1542

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 38 x 24 cm

Dimensions

Signature / Dating

Dated below the central soldier casting dice at the right side: '1542'

Signature / Dating

  • Dated below the central soldier casting dice at the right side: '1542'

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscription above the cross: '.I.N.R.I.'

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

  • Inscription above the cross:

  • '.I.N.R.I.'

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P353
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P353/

Provenance

  • Galerie Fischer, Lucerne 20-21.06.1975, lot 389
  • private collection
    [Letter from D. Koepplin, 04.03.1994; Koepplin Archive]
  • auctioned at Galerie Fischer Auktionen, Lucerne, 5.11.1992, Lot 2006 (as workshop Lucas Cranach I.)
  • auctioned at Phillips, London, 15.04.1997 Lot 93 (as follower Lucas Cranach II.)
  • Douwes Fine Art, Amsterdam
  • auctioned at Dorotheum, Vienna, 22.10.2024, Lot 9
    [Dorotheum online database; accessed 28.11.2024]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1975 27 389
EditorGalerie Fischer, Lucerne
TitleGrosse Kunstauktion in Luzern, Sale cat. Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, June 20 - 21
Place of PublicationLucerne
Year of Publication1975
Show Literature
  • The Crucifixion, 1542

Images

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Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Crucifixion', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P353/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Crucifixion', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P353/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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