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The Descent from the Cross
Maker
1577-1640
Title
Date of Production
Medium
Dimensions
Width: 76.2 cm (panel)
Accession Number
Mode of Acquisition
Credit
Copyright
Location
Keywords
Related Works
Label Text
The biblical scenes all feature the body of Christ being supported — within his pregnant mother (left); by the priest Simeon soon after his birth (right); and by figures lowering him from the cross after his death (centre). Chosen by the guild who commissioned the altarpiece, the episodes allude to its patron saint, Christopher (‘Christ-bearer’ in Greek).
The central panel is especially moving. The Virgin Mary, in blue, reaches out to her son. Despite the scene’s intense grief, Christ’s lifeless body seems graceful.
Provenance
Exhibition History
National Gallery (permanent display during closure), National Gallery, London, 14/09/2018-03/09/2021
Rubens painter of Sketches, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 09/04/2018-05/08/2018; Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, 08/09/2018-13/01/2019 ...More
Rembrandt's Passion, Hunterian Art Gallery & Glasgow & Scotland, 15/09/2012-02/12/2012
Falling Up - The Gravity of Art, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 23/06/2011-04/09/2011
Baroque 1620-1800 - Style in the Age of Magnificence, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 04/04/2009-19/07/2009
Part of general displays, National Gallery & London & England, 20/01/2006-27/04/2006
Rubens - A Master in the Making, National Gallery, London, 26/10/2005-15/01/2006
Peter Paul Rubens - A Touch of Brilliance, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 20/09/2003-08/02/2004
Rubens - A Closer Look, Courtauld Institute Galleries, London, 18/01/1987-26/04/1987 ...Less
Literature
pp. 80, 82 under no. 11
Fig. p. fig. 41 on p. 82
dated c. 1610-14; iin file
Baroque 1620-1800 - Style in the Age of Magnificence, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2009
Rubens - A Master in the Making, National Gallery, London, 2005-2006 ...More
Peter Paul Rubens - A Touch of Brilliance, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2003-2004
cat. no. 5
Fig. p. pl. 5
Rubens - A Closer Look, Courtauld Institute Gallery, London, 1987
unpag.
Fig. p. details and x-ray repr. ...Less
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