The Crucified Christ as the Tree of Life with Monks and Nuns

1639

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Crucified Christ as the Tree of Life with Monks and Nuns is a 1639 by Laurent de La Hyre, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Laurent de La Hyre
When & what style?: 1639 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a tree with arms and a face instead of branches. At the top, it looks like a person hanging from the tree. Below, a group of robed people—some kneeling, some standing—gaze up at it. The lines are loose and quick, like a rough draft. The tree-man looks like Jesus on a cross, but the artist turned it into a tree. The people around it are monks and nuns, praying or waiting. Check out Laurent de La Hyre for more odd, symbolic drawings like this.

About the artist

Artist

Laurent de La Hyre

Laurent de La Hyre (French pronunciation: ; 27 February 1606 – 28 December 1656) was a French Baroque painter, born in Paris. He was a leading exponent of the neoclassical style of Parisian Atticism.

See the richer artist page