Who painted Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung is held by Alte Pinakothek.

What movement is Kreuzigung?

Kreuzigung is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Kreuzigung by Unknown (1650) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work serves as a visual representation of the sacrificial death of Christ, a foundational event in Christian theology.

This mid-17th-century oil painting depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as its central subject. Classified as a work of religious art, the composition focuses entirely on the figure of Jesus on the cross, adhering to traditional Christian iconography regarding the Passion. The work serves as a visual representation of the sacrificial death of Christ, a foundational event in Christian theology.

By isolating this specific moment of suffering and redemption, the piece functions as an object of devotion and theological reflection within the context of 17th-century German religious practice.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 215 cm in height and 125 cm in width. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus and belongs to the religious art genre. The work belongs to the 17th century, reflecting the stylistic characteristics typical of that period. It is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.

The technique involves the use of oil paint applied to a canvas support, consistent with common practices of the time. The composition centers on the main subject of the crucifixion of Jesus, rendered with formal qualities characteristic of religious painting in the 17th century.

History & Provenance

The painting Kreuzigung (Crucifixion) was created in 1650 using oil paint on canvas. It is attributed to an artist of the 17th-century German school. The work measures 215 cm in height and 125 cm in width.

Currently, the painting is held within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, specifically at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The artwork depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as its main subject and falls under the genre of religious art.

No specific details regarding the original commission, the identity of the initial patron, or the intermediate ownership chain prior to its current institutional home are provided in the available records.

Overview

The work presents a crucifixion tableau rendered in oil, dominated by a central figure affixed to a cross on the right side of the composition. Beneath the cross a varied assembly of robed and armored individuals reacts with gestures of kneeling and uplifted hands, while a turbulent sky looms overhead, pierced by a singular source of illumination that highlights the scene.

Context

The painting reflects the era’s preoccupation with theatrical religious imagery, where dramatic lighting and expressive gestures were used to engage viewers spiritually. By integrating both civilian and military figures, it mirrors contemporary concerns about the intersection of faith and authority, a common theme in Counter‑Reformation visual culture.