Who painted Christ Taking Leave of his Mother?

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1520.

Where can I see Christ Taking Leave of his Mother?

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Christ Taking Leave of his Mother?

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Christ Taking Leave of his Mother?

Museum-quality prints of Christ Taking Leave of his Mother are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother

Lucas Cranach the Elder , 1520

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Lucas Cranach the Elder’s oil painting Christ Taking Leave of his Mother, executed around 1520, is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The work presents a solemn encounter between the Christ figure and his mother, set against a muted landscape that recedes into a cloud‑filled sky.

Subject & Meaning

In the central scene a bearded Christ, clothed in a red garment, extends his hand toward a woman veiled in white, suggesting a benediction or parting. Two additional women stand behind them, their faces reflecting varied responses—one watches with curiosity, the other appears distressed—underscoring the emotional tension of the farewell.

Technique & Style

Cranach employs a restrained palette of reds, whites, and earth tones, while the surrounding foliage and distant hills are rendered in soft greens and blues. The composition relies on chiaroscuro, using subtle contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and give depth to the background, a hallmark of early Northern Renaissance painting.

History & Provenance

Created in the early sixteenth century, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work reflects Cranach’s prolific output for religious commissions during the Reformation era.