Nationality
French
Artist Dates
15th c.
Preview
Date of Work
c. 1470-1480
Medium
Tempera, gold leaf, and ink on vellum
Collection/Provenance
Art & Design Study Collection
Status
Displayed
Location
University House
Additional Information
The subject is depicted symbolically as most details related to the story are reduced to essentials and only three figures are included: Christ, the Virgin Mary, and St. John the Evangelist. Traditionally, these are often the only human figures present in Crucifixion scenes. On the ground near the base of the cross is a skull, in reference to the skull of Adam.
The figures are pushed forward to the edge of the picture plane to stress there importance, while the background landscape is simple so as to not visually compete with the foreground figures. An unusual feature is the smaller scale of Christ in comparison to the other figures.