Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Gerard David. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus, a central subject in Christian iconography.
The painting depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus, a central subject in Christian iconography. Gerard David’s composition includes traditional figures: Christ on the cross, the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist at its base, and Mary Magdalene kneeling in grief. Saint Jerome appears in the left background, identified by his cardinal’s hat and scroll, while the skull at the foot of the cross symbolizes Golgotha, the place of the skull.
The scene emphasizes Christ’s sacrifice and the emotional responses of those present, reflecting medieval and early Netherlandish conventions for conveying theological themes of redemption and human sorrow.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1495, The Crucifixion by Gerard David is an oil painting on a wooden panel, characteristic of the Early Netherlandish tradition. The work measures 52.5 cm in height and 37.5 cm in width. David employed oil paint to achieve the detailed rendering typical of the genre, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus alongside figures such as Mary Magdalene, Jerome, and John the Evangelist.
The medium and support reflect the standard materials used by Northern Renaissance masters for devotional panel paintings of this period. The composition focuses on the religious narrative through the careful application of oil on a rigid panel surface.
History & Provenance
The Crucifixion is an oil painting on panel measuring 52.5 × 37.5 cm, created by Gerard David around 1495. Its subject, the crucifixion of Jesus accompanied by figures such as Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist, places it within the Early Netherlandish tradition of religious art. The work was produced as a devotional image, though specific commissioning details are not recorded.
After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its provenance therefore traces from the workshop of Gerard David in the late 15th century to its acquisition by the museum, as documented in the museum’s records.
Overview
This oil painting depicts the crucifixion of a central figure, surrounded by three mourners. The scene unfolds under a cloudy sky with a distant town and rolling hills. Despite the sorrow expressed by those gathered at the base of the cross, the crucified man maintains a serene composure. The artist employed a palette of soft colors and meticulous brushwork to render the solemn event.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerard David (c. 1460 – 13 August 1523) was an Early Netherlandish painter and manuscript illuminator known for his brilliant use of color. Only a bare outline of his life survives, although some facts are known. He may…
Virgin and Child with Four Angels
The Nativity with Donors and Saints Jerome and Leonard
Christ Carrying the Cross, with the Crucifixion; The Resurrection, with the Pilgrims of Emmaus
Christ Carrying the Cross, with the Crucifixion; The Resurrection, with the Pilgrims of Emmaus
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt![The Saint Anne Altarpiece: Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child [middle panel], by Gerard David](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/gerard-david--the-saint-anne-altarpiece-saint-anne-with-the-virgin-and-chi--781e919f9012a004-w320.webp)
The Saint Anne Altarpiece: Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child [middle panel]
The Nativity
Rest on the Flight into Egypt
- The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
Christ on the Cross
Christ on the cross with the saints Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalene, John the Evangelist and Barbara, with three donors
Kruisiging
Christ on the cross with the Virgin, St John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalen, and Sts Cecilia and Barbara (left), and Sts Peter, Francis and Jerome (right)
Crucifixion
Crucifixion with a Donor
The Crucifixion