Christ on the Cross

c. 1485

German 15th Century

Associated Names
This is a painting of a crucifixion scene with two figures on either side of a central figure on a cross. The central figure is depicted with a crown of thorns and is nailed to a cross with signs of blood from the hands and side. On the left, a figure cloaked in robes stands with hands in prayer and a halo above, while on the right, another figure stands with hands clasped and a similar halo. The style is late medieval woodcut art, characteristic of Northern European religious iconography. The use of bold outlines and color indicates a traditional religious narrative artwork from the period, potentially reflecting Gothic artistic influences with emphasis on expressive line work and symbolic representation. The background shows a simple color gradient.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    hand-colored woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Print Purchase Fund (Rosenwald Collection)

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 28.6 × 17.9 cm (11 1/4 × 7 1/16 in.)
    image: 23.3 × 13.1 cm (9 3/16 × 5 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1980.14.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, no. 394


Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1926

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

Watermarks

bull's head

Wikidata ID

Q65565481

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