Christ from Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul
Original title: Christ from Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many contemporary depictions of the Man of Sorrows, this woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder joins Christ's suffering to his rule over the world. Jesus stands barefoot in a long robe, holding a chalice and host in his right hand and an orb in his left. The undated sheet belongs to a series covering Christ, the apostles and Paul.
Description
Christ occupies the middle of a symmetrically ordered layout, enclosed by clouds and a host of angels. He wears a belted robe with long sleeves; his feet are bare. His right hand holds a chalice with the host, toward which his left hand points while also carrying an orb. A coat of arms with a sword and a turtle appears at left, a block of Latin and German verses at right. The black-and-white reproduction sets strong contrasts between the detailed linework and the calm ground.
Context
The woodcut series arose in the milieu of the Reformation, where Cranach worked alongside Martin Luther. Its subject stresses Christ's dual nature as God and man, a core concern of Reformation theology. The appended Latin and German verses expound that claim. The coat of arms with sword and turtle points to a patron or a printing house, though this has not been clearly settled.
Impact
Symmetry and precise draughtsmanship give the sheet a quiet, dignified presence. Clear structure and the absence of shading steer the eye to the central figure and its symbols, so the theological message comes forward at once.
Technique
The image was produced as a woodcut: the design is cut into a block of wood and then printed onto paper. This allows exact lines and a strong contrast between black ink and the light sheet. The print measures about 36 × 21.8 cm and shows the fine stroke Cranach is known for.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)