Artwork
The Dormition of the Virgin; (reverse) Christ Carrying the Cross
The Dormition of the Virgin; (reverse) Christ Carrying the Cross is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Leonhard Schäufelein. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The reverse side features Christ Carrying the Cross, representing the Passion narrative where Jesus bears the instrument of his execution toward Calvary.
Created in 1510 by Hans Leonhard Schäufelein, this double-sided religious painting presents two distinct biblical narratives. The primary face illustrates the Dormition of the Virgin, depicting the death of Mary surrounded by mourning apostles, with one figure shown reading. This scene traditionally symbolizes the Virgin's peaceful passing and her assumption into heaven.
The reverse side features Christ Carrying the Cross, representing the Passion narrative where Jesus bears the instrument of his execution toward Calvary. Together, these panels juxtapose the end of Mary's earthly life with the pivotal moment of Christ's sacrifice, serving as devotional objects that meditate on death, redemption, and the core tenets of Christian salvation history.
History & Provenance
The Dormition of the Virgin; (reverse) Christ Carrying the Cross is a 1510 oil painting by Hans Leonhard Schäufelein. The work was produced in the early sixteenth century, reflecting the artist’s mature religious imagery. It entered the collection of Georg Schäfer, who owned the piece before it was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.
The painting’s provenance thus traces from its creation in 1510 to Schäfer’s ownership and subsequent acquisition by the museum. No documentary evidence of a specific commission survives, and the work is catalogued as a religious painting.
Overview
This painting, titled The Dormition of the Virgin, is a work by the German artist Hans Leonhard Schäufelein. It depicts a solemn religious scene, characteristic of Schäufelein's oeuvre. Notably, the reverse side of the panel features another significant biblical narrative, Christ Carrying the Cross, indicating its original function as a double-sided piece, likely part of an altarpiece or devotional object.
Technique & Style
Schäufelein employs a striking palette and considered arrangement of figures to evoke a powerful emotional response in The Dormition of the Virgin. The composition, with its central focus on the Virgin and the surrounding mourners, creates a dramatic intensity. The artist's use of varied colors for the drapery against a simple yellow background further enhances the scene's emotional depth and visual impact, reflecting his proficiency in religious narrative painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Leonhard Schäufelein (1480–1540) was an artist, born in Nuremberg.
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