This work belongs to a main work

The Crucifixion, ca. 1420

Dimensions: 186.4 x 168.6 x 1.4 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on fir

Inventory Number: HM 1

Acquisition: On permanent loan from Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main since 1922

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 3

Texts

About the Work

The main panel of the winged altarpiece features the Crucifixion. At the centre of the crowded scene is the crucifix, clasped by Mary Magdalene, before it a group with the unconscious Virgin and St Veronica. The latter presents the sudarium to the onlookers kneeling in the right foreground. Their pious devotion supplies the retable viewer with “instructions for use”. Split into two in the nineteenth century, the wings are not extant in their entirety. The inner sides show further scenes from the Passion; of the paintings on the outer sides, only the Visitation has survived.

Audio

Basic information

00:50
Focus on Frankfurt

01:15

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: The Crucifixion

Painter

Master of the Middle Rhine ca. 1420

Altar: Crucifixion Altarpiece, so-called St. Peter’s Church Altarpiece

Period Produced

15th century

School

Late Middle Ages

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on fir

Material

Technique

mixed technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Inschrift auf Maria Magdalens Nimbus "sancta mariamagtalen"
Inschrift auf Johannes Nimbus "sanctus iohannes ewa[ngeli]sta"
Inschrift auf Marias Nimbus "sancta maria mater xp[ist]i"
Inschrift auf Maria Salome Nimbus "sancta maria salome"
Inschrift auf Maria Kleophas Nimbus "sancta maria cleove"
Inschrift auf Veronikas Nimbus "s[an]cta fronica"

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

permanent loan

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Dauerleihgabe des Historischen Museums Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: On permanent loan from Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main since 1922

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Illustrated Passage

Bibel, Neues Testament, Matthäus 27,33-56
Bibel, Neues Testament, Markus 15,22-41
Bibel, Neues Testament, Lukas 23,33-49
Bibel, Neues Testament, Johannes 19,18-30

Iconclass

Primary

73D61 comprehensive representations of the events on Golgotha during Christ's hanging on the cross, no particular event emphasized
73D625 bystanders at the foot of the cross, among whom Mary, Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist; Mary may be shown swooning
73D67141 angel(s) catching Christ's blood in cup(s)
11HH(VERONICA) Veronica; possible attributes: 'Sudarium' (veil with the image of Christ)
11D3121 'Vera Icon', held up by Veronica