Artwork
The Carrying of the Cross
The Carrying of the Cross is a paint painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Master of San Martino alla Palma. It dates from 1330 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Created around 1330, this tempera panel portrays the biblical episode of Christ bearing the cross toward Calvary.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1330, this tempera panel portrays the biblical episode of Christ bearing the cross toward Calvary. Executed by the anonymous Florentine known as the Master of San Martino alla Palma, the work exemplifies early fourteenth‑century Italian devotional art and is presently housed in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie.
Subject & Meaning
The composition follows conventional iconography: Christ, centrally positioned, shoulders a heavy wooden cross while a procession of mourners trails behind. A figure holding a red‑lettered INRI sign underscores the narrative’s identification of the crucified one, reinforcing the painting’s function as a visual aid for contemplation of the Passion.
Technique & Style
Rendered in the Italo‑Byzantine manner, the piece features stylized, elongated figures set against a flat gold‑like background that has been overpainted with a plain yellow wall. The palette is restrained, dominated by muted browns and greens, and the garments display intricate patterning typical of the period’s decorative approach.
History & Provenance
The Master of San Martino alla Palma, closely linked to the workshop of Bernardo Daddi, produced this work for a Florentine devotional context. Over the centuries it entered various collections before being acquired by the Gemäldegalerie, where it remains part of the museum’s medieval holdings.
Context
In the early 1300s, Florentine artists blended Byzantine conventions with emerging naturalistic tendencies. This painting reflects that transitional phase, maintaining iconic gold backgrounds while beginning to explore more individualized facial expressions and detailed textile designs.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Master of San Martino alla Palma
The Master of San Martino alla Palma (formerly called the Amico di Daddi) was a Florentine painter active during the first third of the fourteenth century.
