Artwork
Christ Carried to Heaven by Angels
Christ Carried to Heaven by Angels is a print by the Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien. It dates from 1516 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodcut, titled *Christ Carried to Heaven by Angels*, depicts the dead Christ being borne upward by a group of angels toward a luminous heavenly realm.
This woodcut, titled *Christ Carried to Heaven by Angels*, depicts the dead Christ being borne upward by a group of angels toward a luminous heavenly realm. The composition contrasts the stark, weighty figure of Christ with a radiant celestial backdrop that includes God the Father and the Holy Spirit represented as a dove. The work exemplifies the dramatic, emotionally charged approach of Hans Baldung, a leading German printmaker of the early 16th century.
Subject & Meaning
The image visualizes a theological paradox: the physical suffering of Jesus juxtaposed with his divine ascension. Christ’s limp posture and the effort of the angels convey the heaviness of his mortal death, while the glowing upper zone suggests the triumph of his heavenly nature. This duality reflects a devotional focus on the mystery of redemption, emphasizing both the human anguish and the ultimate glorification of the Savior.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the piece employs bold line work and stark contrasts that heighten its dramatic impact. Baldung departs from conventional, serene ascension scenes, opting for a dynamic arrangement that creates a sense of movement and tension. The interplay of deep shadows with bright, almost incandescent light anticipates chiaroscuro effects, underscoring the emotional intensity of the moment.
History & Provenance
Hans Baldung, a native of Strasbourg and a former apprentice of Albrecht Dürer, produced roughly 550 woodcuts during his career. Known by the monogram G, his nickname "Grien" may reference a fondness for green or a darker, devilish connotation, reflecting the occasional macabre themes in his oeuvre. This particular print, unique in its portrayal of a corpse being lifted to heaven, dates from the early 1520s and is held in several European museum collections.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Baldung (1484 or 1485 – September 1545), called Hans Baldung Grien, (being an early nickname, because of his predilection for the colour green), was a painter, printer, engraver, draftsman, and stained glass…
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