The Crucifixion

Date1847

MediumWatercolor and ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 13 7/8 x 10 3/4in. and Framed: 18 x 15in.

Credit LineFrom the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Collection; Gift of David Rockefeller

Object number1931.305.1

DescriptionAn illuminated manuscript, with religious texts in German filling the spaces not occupied by imagery. The central motif is Christ's crucifixion. He is shown in the center of the composition, nailed to a blue cross with two flower blooms above it. To either side, higher in the composition and smaller in scale, are figures of the two thieves who were crucified with Christ, each of them nailed to a yellow cross. All the crucified subjects are shown in sack-like garments that envelop their bodies from neck to feet, leaving only their heads and hands exposed. A large, irregularly-shaped yellow blob appears to issue from the center of each body and is thought to represent blood or internal organs. (Other cataloguers have construed the shapes as loin cloths). Each of the crucified bears elliptically-shaped black headgear (presumably representing crowns of thorns). Their heads are almost perfectly round, their faces extremely simplified and stylized.
On a horizontal ground line at the foot of Christ's cross, five figures representing Roman soldiers are shown dividing his garments. All are shown full-length in profile and all wear yellow trousers, black boots, black hats, and blue coats with red facings.
A double, sawtooth border of blue, red, and yellow triangles frames the the manuscript at top and sides, a single row of square blocks in the same colors forming a border at the bottom. A single row of like-colored triangles, topped by a partial row of like-colored squares, appears beneath the ground line to create two distinct sections of the composition. Stylized flora in red, blue, and yellow embellish sporadic spaces. The inscriptions are mostly in Fraktur-style lettering, with only the lowermost lines written in script. The lettering in the first line of the lower part of the composition is distinguished from the remainder of the texts by being larger and partly in color (red). Artist unidentified.

The 2 3/8-inch mahogany-veneered frame is a period replacement.
Label TextThis illuminated text was more than a devout expression of faith. Its maker likely also intended it to impart biblical knowledge and understanding, promote spiritual growth, and inspire similar devotion in young pupils.

The stylized depiction of Christ's crucifixion illustrates the text passages in the upper portion of the composition, which are taken from Luke 23 and John 19. For instance, the lettering in the arch states that two murderers were crucified with Christ (John 19:18). The inscriptions at upper left and right relate to the criminals and are, respectively, verses 43 and 39 from Luke 23. The five figures shown in profile across the middle of the page represent the Roman soliders who divided Christ's garments among them, as detailed in John 19:24. Golgotha, the place of skulls, is named below the central cross.

In contrast, the lengthy inscription at the bottom is a personal plea on the artist-writer's part, a passionate longing to experience the cleansing and salvation offered by Christ's final sacrifice. The exhortation concludes: "Written the 5th day of March in the year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, A.D. 1847."

Few other compositions attributable to the same artist have been found to date. Two crucifixion scenes are ascribed to the hand (and one, like the Folk Art Museum's example, is dated 1847). A third piece that is privately owned may also be by the artist.

InscribedA transcription of the German inscriptions reads as follows:
[In arch] "Allda Creutzigten Sie ihn, u. mit ihm zween Mörder, zu bey den seiten Jesu, mitten i/Johannes, Ca 19. Vs. 18".
[At upper left] "Heute/wirst/du mit/mir im/Paradies/Seyn./ Lucä, Capi./23, vers, 43".
[At upper right] "aber/der ue/bel thä/ter einer/dir da ge/hänkt, var/den, läster/ten ihn./Lucä 23; v. 39".
[Surrounding Christ] "Der Kriegs knechte einer Ueffnete/Seine seite Mit einem speer und als/bald gieng blut und waser; Joh./Heraus C. 19, 34/Jesus aber sprach Vater vergib/Ihnen, Dann Sie wissen nicht/was Sie Thun und haben ueber/meinen rock das/loos/gewor/fen L 19,/V 24/Sir/haben/meine/kleider/unter sich/geteilet".
[Below Christ's cross] "Golgatha das Ist Shädel Stätte".
[Lower text] "Jesu Blut Komm ueber mich/So Ruf ich Dürstiglich, Jesu blut komm und bleib über mir mein/Seel und leib - ueber mir - mein Haab und Guth über mein Herz sinn/und Duuth, komm und bleibe Jesu blut, Ich sehe dich auch Im Glauben sehe/ich Jesum an dem Creutze Hoch hangen, und da bluten Noch Jesu blut ach/lauf, ach lauf, mein Herze freuet sich darauf, Williglich zu langen/auf, Amen, In Jesus Namen Amen. Geschrieben den 5ten Tag März/Im Jahr unsers Herrn und Heillandes Jesu Christi; A. D. 1847".

The English translation reads as follows:
[In arch] "There they crucified him and with him two murderers at each side, Jesus in the middle. John 19:18".
[Upper left] "Even this day you will be in Paradise with me. Luke 23:43". [Upper right] "but one of the evildoers that were hanged with him mocked him. Luke 23:39".
[Surrounding Christ) "The soldier pierced his side with a spear and at once blood and water came forth. John 19:34. But Jesus said: 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do. They have divided my garments among themselves and have drawn lots for my cloak.' John 19:24".
[below Christ's cross] "Golgotha, that is Place of Skulls.".
[Lower text] "Jesus' blood, come over me, my soul and body, over me, my possessions and property, over my heart, my reason, my doings, come and remain, Jesus' blood. I also see you in faith, I see Jesus hanging high on the cross and bleeding there still. Jesus' blood, ah flow, ah flow, my heart rejoices over that, willingly to remain, amen. In Jesus' name amen. Written on the 5th day of March in the year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, A. D. 1847."
ProvenanceCharles Woolsey Lyon, New York, NY; Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; given to the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, by Rockefeller in 1939; transferred from the MoMA to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, in 1949; purchased from the Metropolitan Museum of Art by David Rockefeller and given by him to CWF in 1955.