Carrying the Cross

Van der Werff employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with sharply illuminated areas to model the bodies and draw attention to the central figure. The handling of light creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the delicate brushwork and pastel palette align the piece with Rococo aesthetics.

After its creation in the early eighteenth century, the painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work has been recognized as a representative example of van der Werff’s religious output.

Van der Werff, primarily known for portraiture and mythological scenes, produced a limited number of overtly devotional works. *Carrying the Cross* reflects the period’s interest in dramatizing biblical narratives through refined, courtly elegance, a hallmark of the late Baroque transitioning into Rococo.