Who painted Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene?

Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene was painted by Pieter Claeissens the Elder in 1567.

Where can I see Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene?

Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene is held by Groeningemuseum.

What movement is Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene?

Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene

Pieter Claeissens the Elder , 1567

Crucified Christ with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Pieter Claeissens the Elder. It dates from 1567 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.

About this work

Overview

Pieter Claeissens the Elder, a Flemish painter active in Bruges during the mid‑16th century, executed an oil‑on‑canvas work in 1567 that presents the crucifixion of Christ flanked by three mourners. The composition is arranged as a triptych, with the central scene of the cross occupying the middle panel and narrative groups filling the left and right wings.

Subject & Meaning

The central image shows the dead Christ on the cross, attended by the Virgin Mary, the apostle John, and Mary Magdalene, each expressing distinct forms of grief. The side panels extend the devotional context: the left wing includes a monk and a knight, while the right portrays a woman with children, suggesting a broader community of believers sharing in the Passion.

Technique & Style

Claeissens employs oil paint to achieve a nuanced palette, contrasting deep, shadowed backgrounds with the bright, saturated garments of the figures. The use of chiaroscuro—strong light‑and‑shadow modeling—creates a three‑dimensional effect that emphasizes the central crucifixion and adds dramatic intensity characteristic of early Baroque influences.

History & Provenance

Since its creation in 1567, the triptych has remained in the Low Countries, eventually entering the collection of the Groeningemuseum in Bruges. The museum’s acquisition reflects the work’s importance as a representative example of Claeissens’ religious commissions and the artistic currents of his era.

Artist & collection

Artist

Pieter Claeissens the Elder

Pieter Claeissens the Elder or Pieter Claeissens (I) (1500–1576) was a Flemish painter of history paintings, portraits and allegorical scenes. He was the first prominent artist in an extended family of artists from Bruges.