Artwork

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother, by Wolf Traut, 1500
Christ Taking Leave of his Mother, by Wolf Traut, 1500

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother is a print by the Renaissance artist Wolf Traut. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christ Taking Leave of his Mother is a 1500 print by Wolf Traut, currently in The Cleveland Museum of Art. The monochrome work depicts a central figure, likely Christ, amidst a group under a bare tree, with a distant townscape.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a biblical scene where Christ bids farewell to his mother, Mary, before embarking on his ministry. The central figure, possibly holding a book, conveys solemnity, contrasting with the surrounding crowd.

Technique & Style

Traut employed strong, expressive lines to convey emotional depth, particularly in the faces. The bare tree serves as a compositional frame, balancing the crowded yet controlled scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1500, the print is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Specific details about its creation context or previous ownership are not provided.

Context

This work reflects the transitional artistic period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, anticipating the stylistic developments of the latter.

Artist & collection

Artist

Wolf Traut

Wolf Traut (1478–1520) was a German artist, born in Nuremberg.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.