Artwork
Roundel with the Crucifixion, the Virgin, and Saint John
Roundel with the Crucifixion, the Virgin, and Saint John is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents a solemn depiction of the Crucifixion.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of the Virgin and Saint John serves to humanize the divine event, representing the sorrow of the faithful and the witness to redemption.
The roundel depicts the Crucifixion, featuring the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist as the primary mourners at the foot of the cross. As a work of religious art created in 1525, the composition centers on the theological significance of Christ's sacrifice. The inclusion of the Virgin and Saint John serves to humanize the divine event, representing the sorrow of the faithful and the witness to redemption. This iconography emphasizes the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the Passion narrative.
History & Provenance
The roundel was created in 1525, as recorded in both institutional and structured data sources. It is classified as a religious painting and is attributed to an anonymous artist rather than a named workshop or commissioner.
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is identified by the accession number 32.24.66, indicating that it entered the museum in 1932. No earlier ownership history, commissioning patron, or pre-1932 provenance is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This circular painting, known as a roundel, presents a solemn depiction of the Crucifixion. At its center, Christ is shown on the cross, accompanied by the grieving figures of the Virgin Mary and Saint John. The composition emphasizes a moment of quiet reflection, drawing the viewer into the profound gravity of the scene.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a realistic style, rendering the figures with careful attention to detail and textile textures in their simple, flowing robes. A muted, neutral background ensures focus remains on the central drama. The skillful application of chiaroscuro, utilizing stark contrasts between light and shadow, enhances the scene's emotional intensity and creates a compelling sense of three-dimensional depth within the circular format.
Artist & collection
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