In formal terms, the Art Institute's Crucifixion refers back to the type of crowded Calvary scene including a wealth of figures from different levels of society that was current in Germany in the late fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.[1] Cranach placed Christ and the two thieves against a stormy sky that
In formal terms, the Art Institute's Crucifixion refers back to the type of crowded Calvary scene including a wealth of figures from different levels of society that was current in Germany in the late fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.[1] Cranach placed Christ and the two thieves against a stormy sky that corresponds to the unnatural darkness described in the Gospel accounts of Christ's last hours. Raised high above the throng of soldiers and gesticulating onlookers, Christ is here the living savior rather than the more conventional figure of death with bowed head, closed eyes, and pierced side.[2] The good thief, crucified at Jesus's right hand, gazes up at him with acceptance, while the bad thief, who mocked Christ (Luke 23:39-43), looks away, his less worthy character signalled by his awkward body type. Continuing this conventional division of positive and negative on either side of the cross, the mourning friends of Christ occupy the lower left corner of the composition. The swooning Virgin is supported by Saint John the Evangelist and by a woman whose relatively rich dress suggests that she represents Mary Magdalene. Opposite these holy figures are the soldiers who cast dice to determine who will take possession of Christ's clothing (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; and John 20:23-24). Their expressive, gnarled features contrast with the smooth, pale faces surrounding the Virgin. In a pivotal position between these two groups, a father points the cross out to a small boy. The child's acid yellow tabard and his silhouetted profile give this motif some prominence in the welter of figures.
[1][Roth 1967]
[2]Hausherr 1971]
[Cat. Chicago 2008, 355]
- Attribution
- Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/59856?search_no=10&index=3] (accessed 24.09.2012) |
- Production date
- 153[8]
Production date
153[8] | [dated] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 121.1 x 82.5 cm (47 3/4 x 32 1/2 in.)
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 121.1 x 82.5 cm (47 3/4 x 32 1/2 in.)
Dimensions of the painted surface: 119.4 x 82.5 cm (47 x 32 1/2 in.)
[http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/59856?search_no=10&index=3] (accessed 24.09.2012)
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the cross: winged serpent with dropped wings and dated '153[8]' [http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/59856?search_no=10&index=3] (accessed 24.09.2012)
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the cross: winged serpent with dropped wings and dated '153[8]' [http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/59856?search_no=10&index=3] (accessed 24.09.2012)
- Owner
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Repository
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Location
- Chicago
- CDA ID
- US_artic_1947-62
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR377
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/US_artic_1947-62/