Artwork
Descent from the Cross
Descent from the Cross is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Girolamo da Cremona. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work shows the moment of Christ's removal from the cross, a scene drawn from the Gospel narrative of the Passion.
The work shows the moment of Christ's removal from the cross, a scene drawn from the Gospel narrative of the Passion. Girolamo da Cremona places the dead Christ supported by John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene, while the Virgin Mary and other figures assist, creating a composition typical of Deposition or Descent imagery. The inclusion of these saints emphasizes the redemptive sacrifice and the human response of mourning and devotion.
As a religious painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the piece reflects fifteenth-century devotional practices that focused on the suffering of Christ and the intercessory role of the saints.
Technique & Style
The Descent from the Cross is a religious painting executed by Girolamo da Cremona in 1475. The work is classified within the religious genre and depicts the biblical scene of the Descent, featuring Christ, the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, and Mary Magdalene. The physical dimensions are recorded as 15.9 cm in height and 11.4 cm in width, consistent with a small devotional panel.
The formal qualities align with late 15th-century Italian religious art, focusing on the emotional gravity of the deposition scene. The work was previously owned by Jules Bache and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1475, the painting Descent from the Cross is attributed to the Italian artist Girolamo da Cremona. This religious work, depicting the removal of Christ's body accompanied by figures such as John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the ownership of Jules Bache. While the specific circumstances of its original commission remain undocumented in the available records, the work measures approximately 15.9 cm by 11.4 cm and represents a significant example of late 15th-century religious art.
Overview
Girolamo da Cremona's Descent from the Cross, painted in 1475, is a religious work housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting illustrates the moment Christ's body is removed from the cross, a pivotal event in Christian narratives. The composition features multiple figures engaged in the solemn task, set against a detailed landscape, characteristic of Italian Renaissance devotional art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Girolamo da Cremona, also known as Girolamo de' Corradi and Zanino de Cremona, was an Italian Renaissance painter, illuminator, and miniaturist of manuscripts and early printed books. He was influenced and furthered by Andrea Mantegna.
