Who painted Christ Crowned with Thorns?

Christ Crowned with Thorns was painted by Martin Johann Schmidt in 1788.

Where can I see Christ Crowned with Thorns?

Christ Crowned with Thorns is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Christ Crowned with Thorns?

Christ Crowned with Thorns is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Christ Crowned with Thorns?

Museum-quality prints of Christ Crowned with Thorns are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Martin Johann Schmidt , 1788

Christ Crowned with Thorns is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Martin Johann Schmidt. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1788, this drawing portrays the biblical episode of Christ being mocked with a crown of thorns.

Accession no.: 1963.242.3
Credit line: John L. Severance Fund

About this work

Overview

Created in 1788, this drawing portrays the biblical episode of Christ being mocked with a crown of thorns. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies the devotional art produced for ecclesiastical settings in the late eighteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on the suffering of Jesus, emphasizing the physical pain of the thorned crown and the emotional weight of his humiliation. By concentrating on this moment of torment, the drawing invites contemplation of sacrifice and redemption.

Technique & Style

Executed with careful attention to line and tonal contrast, the artist employs chiaroscuro to model the figure and suggest depth. The interplay of light and shadow heightens the somber mood, while fine detailing conveys the texture of the thorns and the tension in Christ’s features.

History & Provenance

The drawing was produced by Martin Johann Schmidt, known as Kremser Schmidt, a prominent Austrian painter of the late Baroque and Rococo periods who worked mainly in Lower Austria for churches and monasteries. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Martin Johann Schmidt

Martin Johann Schmidt, called Kremser Schmidt or Kremserschmidt, (25 September 1718 – 28 June 1801), was one of the outstanding Austrian painters of the late Baroque/Rococo along with Franz Anton Maulbertsch.