Artwork
Kreuztragung Christi
Kreuztragung Christi is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Herri met de Bles. It dates from 1537 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1537, *Kreuztragung Christi* is an oil painting by the Flemish artist Herri met de Bles, also known as Henri Bles or Herry de Patinir. The work belongs to the Northern Renaissance and reflects the later Mannerist tendencies of the period. It is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays the moment when Christ bears the cross, set within a bustling rural scene. A dense crowd of soldiers, peasants, and families—some on foot, others on horseback—surrounds the central figure, suggesting a chaotic atmosphere that captures the tension of the Passion narrative.
Technique & Style
Bles employs a high, panoramic viewpoint, arranging numerous figures across a sweeping landscape that recedes toward a distant town with towers and a church. The palette is muted yet intricate, with soft hues that highlight the detailed foliage, a prominent central tree, and the airy sky filled with fluffy clouds.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in Austrian collections since the 17th century, eventually entering the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings. Its attribution to Herri met de Bles aligns it with his characteristic blend of devotional subjects and expansive, atmospheric settings that were popular among Northern European patrons of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Herri met de Bles, also known as Henri Bles, Herri de Dinant, Herry de Patinir,(c.
