Christ on the Cross, with Saint John, The Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene

Artistschool of Gerard David (Netherlandish, active in Flanders, about 1460–1523)

Date1515–1525

Mediumoil on panel

Dimensionspanel: 44.5 x 26.5 cm (17 1/2 x 10 7/16 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Terms

wood

Object number1935.144

Label TextGerard David was born in Oudewater, probably about 1460, and was active in Bruges from 1484 until his death in 1523. He is known to have painted several panels close to this one in composition, but his style is recognizably different from that shown here. Another artist whose work bears similarities to this one is Adriaen Isenbrandt, but his style has been insufficiently studied to allow an attribution. For this reason, the designation "School of Gerard David" is maintained. A date between 1515 and 1525 seems probable. There is no scriptural record of a moment such as this, when favorite saints gathered around the crucified Christ to worship and mourn, but the scene is a popular one in art. The figure types used here all relate to prototypes created by Rogier van der Weyden in the previous century, but their combination and setting are new. Such borrowing from well-known masters was a common practice, leading to many close variations on any one theme.ProvenancePossibly a convent, Valencia; sold to Don Lorenzo Albarran, Madrid, c. 1925-1927; Abelardo Linares, Madrid, by 1935; sold to the Worcester Art Museum, October 1935.

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