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Raising the Cross, by German 15th Century, ink, 1490

Raising the Cross

German 15th Century

1490

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Raising the Cross is a 1490 ink by German 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
German 15th Century
When & what style?
1490 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a group of people working together to raise a large cross. The cross is positioned diagonally, with one end resting on the ground and the other end being lifted by the group. The figures are dressed in simple clothing, with some wearing hats and others having their heads uncovered. The scene is set against a backdrop of green grass and a blue sky with white clouds. The painting's use of bold lines and vibrant colors creates a sense of energy and movement, drawing the viewer's attention to the central action of raising the cross. The figures' facial expressions convey a sense of determination and effort, emphasizing the importance of their task. To learn more about the techniques used in this painting, explore the art of woodcut.

About the artist

Portrait of German 15th Century
Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

See the richer artist page

More by German 15th Century

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