Christ Carrying the Cross

Description

This narrow panel was probably part of a predella, the supporting lower portion of an altarpiece, which no doubt featured other scenes from the Passion of Christ. It is most likely an early work by Hans Maler, who worked in Ulm in southwestern Germany before settling in the Tyrol. He is now known chiefly for portraits painted in the later part of his career for members of the imperial family and other prominent sitters. His earlier religious paintings are a variant on the expressive, patterned style and vivid characterization of an accomplished group of painters working in Ulm and nearby Memmingen, notably Bartholomäus Zeitblom and Bernhard Strigel.

Provenance

Private collection, France [according to Baldass 1926/27]; Galerie St. Lucas, Vienna, 1926 [Baldass 1926/27]. A. S. Drey, Munich, by 1928; sold to Charles Worcester, Chicago, 1928 [letter from Drey to Worcester, Nov. 26, 1928, Art Institute Archives]; on loan to the Art Institute from 1930; given to the Art Institute, 1947.

Christ Carrying the Cross

Hans Maler

c. 1510

Accession Number

59912

Medium

Oil on panel

Dimensions

33.8 × 57.5 cm (13 5/16 × 22 5/8 in.); Framed: 44.5 × 66.4 × 6.4 cm (17 1/2 × 26 1/8 × 2 1/2 in.)

Classification

oil on panel

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Charles H. and Mary F. S. Worcester Collection