A Silver Statuette of the Risen Christ, from the Wittenberg Reliquaries
Original title: A Silver Statuette of the Risen Christ, from the Wittenberg Reliquaries
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder recorded a silver statuette of the risen Christ from the Wittenberg relic collection in this woodcut. The sheet is the first of two states (Hollstein) and was made in the early sixteenth century. The figure stands against a subdued ground, which makes its filigree work stand out clearly.
Description
Barefoot, Christ stands wearing a long-sleeved tunic encircled by a veil. Curly, wavy hair frames a serious, pensive face. The scepter in his right hand is adorned with flowers; his left hand raises the thumb in a gesture of resurrection. A plain background lets the silhouette of the statuette emerge distinctly. The lines of the woodcut are sharp and detailed, the contrasts strong.
Context
This sheet belongs to a series documenting the relic treasure of the Wittenberg Castle Church. That collection, assembled by Frederick the Wise, comprised numerous relics in precious containers. Through these prints Cranach sought to bring the relics closer to a wider public and to encourage their veneration. No exact date of creation is recorded; around 1509 is assumed, when the relic treasure reached its peak. The design follows the late medieval iconography of the resurrection.
Impact
The clear line of the cut and the calm posture of the figure give the sheet a solemn, dignified presence. Because the background remains spare, the eye goes immediately to the statuette and its precious appearance. Precise technique and symbolic gesture together create a meditative mood.
Technique
The execution of the woodcut allows the finest details with strong contrasts. Sharply cut lines produce a sculptural effect reminiscent of the surface of a silver statuette. That the sheet survives in the first of two states argues for careful printing.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)