The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion

Title

The Crucifixion

[cda 2020]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Online database Karl und Faber: https://www.karlundfaber.de/produkt/die-kreuzigung/?; accessed 14.05.2020]

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 a stormy sky above the throng of onlookers, and only the soldiers lances penetrate this space. The good thief, crucified at

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 a stormy sky above the throng of onlookers, and only the soldiers lances 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 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 and on horseback the centurian who has yet to be converted.

[cda 2020]

Attribution
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Letter from D. Koepplin, 30.07.1984; Koepplin Archive]
[Online database Karl und Faber: https://www.karlundfaber.de/produkt/die-kreuzigung/?; accessed 14.05.2020]

Production date
1541

Production date

1541

or 1544 [dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 56 x 42 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 56 x 42 cm

  • Dimensions of painted surface: 54 x 40 cm

  • [Online database Karl und Faber: https://www.karlundfaber.de/produkt/die-kreuzigung/?; accessed 14.05.2020]

Signature / Dating

Dated on the shaft of the cross: '1541' or '1544'

Signature / Dating

  • Dated on the shaft of the cross: '1541' or '1544'

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscription above the cross: 'INRI'

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

  • Inscription above the cross:

  • 'INRI'

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P354
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P354/

Provenance

  • property of a Franconian noble family; by inheritance from an ancestor who has been verified as the commander of Rosenberg fortress, Kronach during Cranach's lifetime
    [Letter to D. Koepplin from Kunstversteigerungshaus Rothenbücher, 27.07.1984; Koepplin Archive]
  • sold by Karl und Faber, Munich 11.06.2010, lot 98
    [Online database Karl und Faber: https://www.karlundfaber.de/produkt/die-kreuzigung/?; accessed 14.05.2020]
  • The Crucifixion, 1541

Images

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Condition Reports

Date06. 2010

An old vertical split running through the companion at the Virgin's right has been retouched; a slight craquelé and some loses as well as retouches, otherwise in good condition.

[Online database Karl und Faber: https://www.karlundfaber.de/produkt/die-kreuzigung/?; accessed 14.05.2020]

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-P354/ (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-P354/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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