Artwork

Kreuzigung

Kreuzigung, by Frans Francken the Younger, unspecified, 1612
Kreuzigung, by Frans Francken the Younger, unspecified, 1612

Kreuzigung is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Francken the Younger. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, a central moment in Christian theology representing sacrifice and redemption.

The painting depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, a central moment in Christian theology representing sacrifice and redemption. Symbolically, the work emphasizes themes of suffering, divine love, and the path to salvation, reflecting the broader religious context of its creation in the early 17th century. The composition aligns with traditional iconography of the Passion, focusing on the central figure of Christ on the cross.

The subject is drawn directly from the biblical narrative of the crucifixion, a common theme in religious art of the period, and serves as a visual meditation on key theological concepts.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on wood panel, measuring 52 by 65 centimeters, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Executed in 1612 by Frans Francken the Younger, it belongs to the religious genre and is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.

The formal composition emphasizes the central cross and the surrounding figures, employing a restrained palette and balanced spatial arrangement typical of early 17th‑century Counter‑Reformation art. The handling of light and detail on the painted surface suggests a careful attention to materiality, while the stylistic treatment of drapery and facial expression reflects the transition from late Renaissance to Baroque conventions.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1612 by Frans Francken the Younger, as indicated by both internal records and Wikidata documentation.

It is currently held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The work’s dimensions are recorded as 52 cm in height and 65 cm in width.

The painting Kreuzigung by Frans Francken the Younger is held within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The work was created in 1612 and depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available sources, nor is there recorded exhibition history for this piece in the provided data.

Context

Franz Francken the Younger's 1612 'Kreuzigung' occupies a pivotal position within Counter-Reformation religious painting, reflecting evolving devotional practices in Bavarian ecclesiastical circles. The work's composition demonstrates the artist's synthesis of earlier devotional models while introducing subtle shifts in emotional intensity characteristic of late Mannerist religious art in southern Germany. Its presence in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek since inception has established it as a key reference point for studying regional interpretations of the crucifixion motif in the early 17th century, with scholarly analyses emphasizing its role in bridging High Renaissance iconography and emerging Baroque devotional aesthetics.

Legacy

The 1612 crucifixion painting by Frans Francken the Younger remains documented in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where its religious subject and dimensions reflect early 17th-century devotional art practices. The work is part of the Alte Pinakothek's holdings, preserving its historical context within Munich's museum tradition.

Overview

Frans Francken the Younger, an Antwerp‑based Flemish painter, completed the oil work titled Kreuzigung in 1612. Executed during the height of the Flemish Baroque, the canvas presents a complex, multi‑figure composition centred on the crucifixion. The painting is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich and exemplifies Francken’s capacity to integrate narrative detail with dramatic lighting.

Kreuztragung Christi
Kreuztragung Christi, Frans Francken the Younger

Artist & collection

Portrait of Frans Francken the Younger

Artist

Frans Francken the Younger

Frans Francken the Younger (1581, Antwerp – 6 May 1642, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter and the best-known and most prolific member of the large Francken family of artists.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung was painted by Frans Francken the Younger in 1612.

Where can I see Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.