Artwork
Kaisheimer Altar: Gefangennahme Christi
Kaisheimer Altar: Gefangennahme Christi is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Holbein the Elder. It dates from 1502 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1502, the Kaisheimer Altar: Gefangennahme Christi is an oil painting by German early‑Renaissance artist Hans Holbein the Elder. The work belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek and illustrates a biblical episode of Christ’s capture. It reflects the Northern Renaissance’s attention to detail and narrative clarity, characteristic of Holbein’s mature period.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a figure in a blue robe bearing a crown of thorns, representing Christ amidst a tumult of onlookers. Surrounding characters display a range of emotions—kneeling supplicants, a spear‑wielding guard, and a gesturing figure pointing to a distant flame—conveying the drama and spiritual tension of the moment.
Technique & Style
Holbein employs a restrained palette of deep blues, earthy browns, and muted golds, allowing the central figure’s calm demeanor to stand out against the bustling crowd. The painting features precise linear perspective, a vaulted archway, and a palm tree that frame the scene, while the fine brushwork captures individual expressions and textile textures.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the altar panel entered various ecclesiastical settings before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Hans Holbein the Elder, father of the celebrated painters Ambrosius and Hans Holbein the Younger, produced the work during a prolific phase that solidified his reputation within the German Renaissance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Holbein the Elder (c. 1460/65 – 1524) was a German painter of the early German Renaissance. He was the father of painters Ambrosius and Hans the Younger.
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