The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John

The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John

Title

The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John

[cda 2023]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Im Kinsky online catalogue, accessed 14.08.2023]

The Virgin stands behind a balustrade against a black background. Over her red robe she wears a blue cloak that appears to have a green velvet lining. A green velvet scarf is knotted around her waist. Her reddish blonde hair is loose and she looks out at the viewer.

The Virgin stands behind a balustrade against a black background. Over her red robe she wears a blue cloak that appears to have a green velvet lining. A green velvet scarf is knotted around her waist. Her reddish blonde hair is loose and she looks out at the viewer. Christ, who appears to be naked, stands on the balustrade together with the infant St John, who is dressed in fur. Both infants are supported by the Virgin.

[cda 2023]

Attributions
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attributions

Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Ernst Buchner; Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1954, 115, Lot 2164]

Production date
about 1520 - 1530

Production date

about 1520 - 1530

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 60.5 x 38.5 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 60.5 x 38.5 cm

  • [Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Signature / Dating

none

Inscriptions and Labels

See Research History / Discussion

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

  • See Research History / Discussion

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
PRIVATE_NONE-P591
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P591/

Provenance

  • probably formerly property of a German noble family (see coat of arms: possibly belonging to the von Berlichingen family)
  • auctioned at Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, 22-26.06.1954, lot 2164 [1]
  • private collection, Austria
  • sold at Im Kinsky, 20.06.2023, lot 2017
    [1][Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1954, 115, lot 2164]
    [Im Kinsky online catalogue, accessed 14.08.2023]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Auct. Cat. Lucerne 1954 115 2164
EditorGalerie Fischer, Lucerne
TitleGrosse Kunstauktion in Luzern, Sale cat. Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, June 22-26
Place of PublicationLucerne
Year of Publication1954
Show Literature
Guth 1953 illustrated on front cover
AuthorPaul Guth
TitleLucas Cranach
JournalConnaissance des Art - Le Guide
Issue4/15/1953
Year of Publication1953
Pages38-45
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

In the x-radiograph a coat of arms with the wheel of a waggon is visible. According to Frau Schmid [Im Kinsky] – with reference to a condition report from April 2023 – it is not located beneath overpaint on the front of the painting, but rather on the reverse of the original panel. Both the exact position and the identification of the coat of arms need to be clarified.

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Some significant characteristics of the support, the underdrawing and the painting technique correspond with other works attributed to Cranach or his workshop. The original quality of the painting is difficult to access as it has been greatly compromised by damage and retouching. Based on the available documentation the author suggests the painting was produced in the Cranach workshop between 1520 and 1530.

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Further examples of this composition:

  1. Painting on wood, 88.6 x 50 cm, sold 23.1.2004 at Christie’s London as Lucas Cranach the Elder, [Christie's online, accessed 30.10.2023]

  2. Painting on wood, 67 x 49.3 cm, sold 07.07.2011 at Sotheby’s London as 'Lucas Cranach the Elder Workshop' and 05.10.2019 at Hampel as circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder [PRIVATE_NONE-P220]

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

  • The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John, about 1520 - 1530

Images

Compare images
  • overall
  • overall
  • reverse
  • irr
  • x_radiograph
  • uv_light

Technical studies

14.08.2023 - 07.05.2023Technical examination / Scientific analysis

Support

- wooden panel

- the x-radiograph shows that fibres were attached to the front of the panel

Underdrawing

The infrared reflectogram shows an underdrawing that was executed in a fluid black medium with a brush. The contours and the some of the essential details appear to have been described with freehand lines. Some minor deviations are evident between the underdrawing and the final painted version: St John's feet are smaller and in a slightly different position in the initial design.

Paint Layers and Gilding

The somewhat formulaic execution of the flesh paint and the garments was carried out by a skilled artist, and without any significant changes.

[Heydenreich, unpblished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Condition Reports

Date07.05.2023

Support:

At some stage the original panel was transferred to a laminboard (with horizontally aligned strips of softwood). A softwood panel exhibiting knots and numerous woodworm channels was then attached to the reverse of the laminboard.

Paint layers:

  • the paint layers appear damaged and reworked

  • there are losses particularly along the edges, but also in the figures of both boys

[Heydenreich, unpublished examination report, 07.05.2023]

Versions

Virgin and Child with Saint John
  • Virgin and Child with Saint John, about 1520 - 1530
  • PRIVATE_NONE-P220
  • Painting
  • Private Collection
The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John
  • The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John, about 1530
  • PRIVATE_NONE-P592
  • Painting
  • Private Collection

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P591/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P591/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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