The Crucifixion

c. 1490/1500

Israhel van Meckenem

Associated Names
Israhel van Meckenem

Artist, German, c. 1445 - 1503

The image shows a depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross, with figures representing Mary and John the Apostle. Jesus is central, nailed to the cross with arms outstretched, with a somber expression. Mary is to the left in long robes, while John is on the right. Six angels surround Jesus, some holding instruments of the passion, and one kneeling near His feet. Skulls and bones are scattered below the cross. The background is intricate with swirling patterns and halos around Mary's and John's heads.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving with traces of hand coloring on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 26.3 × 18.2 cm (10 3/8 × 7 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.104

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Lehrs, Vol. 9, p.041, no. 43, State ii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(P. & D. Colnaghi Co., London); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1928; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 228, repro.

2023

  • Art of Enterprise: Israhel van Meckenem and his Late Medieval Print Shop, Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2023-2024.

Bibliography

1908

  • Lehrs, Max. Geschichte und kritischer Katalog des deutschen, niederlandischen und franzosischen Kupferstichs im XV. Jahrhundert. 9 vols. and 1 plate vol. Vienna: Gesellschaft fur vervielfaltigende Kunst, 1934: Vol. 9, no. 43, ii/iii.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. Blaricum: A.L. van Gendt B.V., 1986: Vol. XXIV, no. 43, ii/iii.

1967

  • Shestack, Alan. Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1967: no. 228.

Inscriptions

in plate, at lower center: Israhel V. [jawbone] M.; verso, in graphite, by a later hand, at center right: B. 28 / G. 100 / c.17218

Markings

none

Watermarks

shield with three fleurs-de-lis and affixed letter T (Lehrs 41)

Wikidata ID

Q64958356

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