The Crucifixion
c. 1430
Medium
miniature on vellum
Dimensions
overall: 20.2 x 15.3 cm (7 15/16 x 6 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1949.5.80
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Rosenwald Collection at the National Gallery of Art, *The Crucifixion* a delicate miniature on vellum created by an Austrian artist around 1430. Measuring just 20.2 x 15.3 cm, this intimate work exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Late Gothic manuscript illumination in Central Europe. Vellum, made from animal skin, provided a luminous surface ideal for vibrant pigments and gold leaf, allowing the scene to glow with spiritual intensity during private devotion. Depicting Christ's Crucifixion—a pivotal moment in Christian theology—the miniature captures the raw emotion and ...