Kardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg vor dem Gekreuzigten,

1520/25

Material / Technology / Carrier

Tannenholz (Abies alba)

Dimensions of the object

158 cm

Displayed

AP OG Saal II

Department

Altdeutsche Malerei

Genre

Malerei

Inventory number

3819

Acquisition

1829 aus der Stiftskirche zu Aschaffenburg durch Ankauf erworben

Stock

Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München

Citation

Lucas Cranach d. Ä., Kardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg vor dem Gekreuzigten, 1520/25, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/Znxw0D7LXg (Last updated on 17.10.2023)

Cranach shows Albrecht von Brandenburg (1490–1545) at prayer. He is gazing into the distance; in his mind’s eye Albrecht sees an image of Christ on the Cross as shown to the viewer. In this painting Cranach not only reveals his empathy as a Christian but also his skill as a colourist. The large area of red created by the robe and cushion forms a sharp contrast to the surrounding area, in the same way that Christ’s scourged body does to the dark sky. See also Grünewald’s painting of St Erasmus and St Maurice.