Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is an oil painting by Master of the Berswordt Altar. It dates from 1400 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Crucifixion, a tempera painting from approximately 1400, is attributed to the Master of the Berswordt Altar, a German artist active in Westphalia.
The Crucifixion, a tempera painting from approximately 1400, is attributed to the Master of the Berswordt Altar, a German artist active in Westphalia. This religious work, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a somber scene centered on Jesus Christ on the cross. It exemplifies the devotional art prevalent in late medieval Europe, offering a poignant visual narrative of a pivotal biblical event.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a sorrowful portrayal of Christ's crucifixion. Jesus is centrally positioned on the cross, his arms extended and feet nailed, embodying the moment of sacrifice. Three women, clad in long robes, flank the cross, their expressions conveying profound grief. The muted yellow background serves to emphasize the dark figures, intensifying the solemnity of the scene and drawing the viewer's focus to the suffering depicted.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, a pigment mixed with egg yolk, this painting showcases a technique characteristic of medieval European art. The artist's proficient handling of the medium contributes to the work's visual depth and textural quality. This approach effectively guides the viewer's gaze towards the central figure of Christ, enhancing the devotional impact and clarity of the narrative through precise application of color and line.
History & Provenance
The creator of this work is known as the Master of the Berswordt Altar, an anonymous German painter active during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. This provisional name derives from an altarpiece located in the Marienkirche in Dortmund. The artist's regional activity extended across Westphalia, with other attributed works found in areas such as Bielefeld, indicating a significant local presence before the painting entered The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Master of the Berswordt Altar (sometimes called the Master of the Crucifixion in the Marienkirche at Dortmund) was a German painter active in the area around Dortmund during the 14th and 15th centuries.
