Christ on the Cross with Angels

c. 1490

German 15th Century

Associated Names
This is a painting of a crucifixion scene. The image depicts a central figure on a wooden cross, with arms outstretched and a modestly draped waist. Above the cross is the acronym "INRI." Flanking the crucified figure are two angels, each holding a chalice. Below and to the sides of the cross are two other prominent figures, both with halos. One is draped in blue and gold, holding prayerful hands, while the other is dressed in warm colors with a contemplative expression. At the foot of the cross rests a skull and crossbones on the grass. The background gradient moves from blues to earth tones. This is in the style of Albrecht Dürer with bold outlines and rich color contrasts characteristic of Renaissance religious art.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut, hand-colored in blue, yellow, orange, green, brown, carmine, and gold on vellum

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.543

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, no. 953, State variant


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Martin Aufhäuser [1875-1944], Munich, Holland, and Los Angeles; [1] Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.
[1] For complete information on Aufhäuser's collection, see Rosenwald Papers, box 9, and Richard S. Field, Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts, Washington, D.C., 1965, Preface (np).

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1965

  • Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, NGA, 1965-1966, no. 141, repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Handbuch de Holz- und Metailschnitte des XV Jahrhunderts. 8 vols. Leipzig: Verlag Karl W. Hierseman, 1926-1930.

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1965: no. 140.

Inscriptions

verso, in red ink by a later hand: Anno 1599 habe ich das buch fon Kasper sin dem pekomen

Wikidata ID

Q64952979

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