The Passion of Christ and the Book of Genesis
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved and glazed boxwood and oak
- Museum number:
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This Triptych is made by an unknown artist in the middle of the 19th century in Germany.
The scenes are based on engravings by Martin Schongauer (first recorded 1465, d. 1491). In form however, this triptych does not correspond with any type of object produced around 1500. The crude quality of the carving, peculiar physiognomies, misunderstood draperies and the actual form suggests that it dates from the mid 19th century when Schongauer's prints were becoming increasingly popular in line with the development of the Gothic revival.
Physical description
Pair of carved boxwood wings from a triptych. depicting on the outside four subjects from the Fall in two registers, top: The Temptation of Adam and Eve, and The expulsion from Paradise; bottom: The killing of Abel and Cain is made a fugitive. On the inside are six scenes from Christ's Passion and should be read from the top left: The Agony in the Garden, Christ before Pilate, The Flagellation and top right: The Crowning with Thorns, Ecce Homo, Christ bearing the cross.
Place of Origin
Germany (made)
Date
mid 19th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Carved and glazed boxwood and oak
Dimensions
Height: 14 cm, Width: 8.5 cm, Depth: 0.8 cm
Historical context note
The scenes are based on engravings by Martin Schongauer (first recorded 1465, d. 1491). In form however, this triptych does not correspond with any type of object produced around 1500. The crude quality of the carving, peculiar physiognomies, misunderstood draperies and the actual form suggests that it dates from the mid 19th century when Schongauer's prints were becoming increasingly popular in line with the development of the Gothic revival.
Descriptive line
Pair of carved boxwood wings from a triptych, depicting scenes from Christ's Passion and the Book of Genesis, Germany, mid 19th century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Jopek, Norbert: German Sculpture 1430-1540, A Catalogue of the Collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, Cat. No. 72, pp. 153-154
Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1860. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 50
Materials
Oak; Boxwood
Techniques
Carving; Glazing
Categories
Sculpture; Religion; Christianity; Fakes & forgeries
Collection code
SCP
