The Crucifixion
Roundel
ca. 1600 (made)
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The subject matter of this roundel is complex. The central image of Christ on the Cross is associated with four male figures, each engaging in a different activity.
It is possible that these figures represent the Four Elements. In medieval and Renaissance imagery, the Elements are usually personified by female figures or by gods and goddesses. By the 1600s some painters chose to represent them as figures of the time, engaging in activities appropriate to each element.
The Four Elements are Air, Earth Fire and Water. On this roundel the young nobleman with a falcon on his wrist symbolises Air. The youth digging with a spade is Earth. The blacksmith at his furnace protecting his face from the flames is Fire, and the elderly man drawing his fishing net is Water.
It is possible that these figures represent the Four Elements. In medieval and Renaissance imagery, the Elements are usually personified by female figures or by gods and goddesses. By the 1600s some painters chose to represent them as figures of the time, engaging in activities appropriate to each element.
The Four Elements are Air, Earth Fire and Water. On this roundel the young nobleman with a falcon on his wrist symbolises Air. The youth digging with a spade is Earth. The blacksmith at his furnace protecting his face from the flames is Fire, and the elderly man drawing his fishing net is Water.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Crucifixion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Clear glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain |
| Brief description | Roundel of clear glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain depicting the Crucifixion and the Four Elements. Made in Switzerland, ca.1600. |
| Physical description | Roundel of painted glass. The Crucifixion with figures symbolising the four elements namely, a gardener digging (land), a fisherman drawing his net (water), a hunter with a falcon on his wrist (air), and a blacksmith at his furnase (fire). A vine springs up from the foot of the Cross. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | THE CRUCIFIXION
The figures around the Cross may represent the four elements: a gardener digging (Earth), a fisherman drawing his net (Water), a hunter with a falcon on his wrist (Air) and a blacksmith at his furnace (Fire).
Switzerland, probably about 1575-1600
Museum no. C.82-1919; given by J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr.((PW) 2003) |
| Credit line | Given by J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr |
| Historical context | The iconography of this roundel is complex. The central image of Christ on the Cross is associated with four male figures, each engaging in a different activity. These figures have been tentively identified as representing the Four Elements and this seems most likely. In Medieval and Renaissance imagery, the Elements are usually personified by female figures or by gods and goddesses. By the 17th century, some painters chose to represent them as contemporary figures engaging in activities symbolising the Elements. The Four Elements are air, earth fire and water. On this roundel the young noble man with a falcon on his wrist symbolises Air. The youth digging with a spade is Earth. The blacksmith at his furnace protecting his face from the flames is Fire and the elderly man drawing his fishing net is Water. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The subject matter of this roundel is complex. The central image of Christ on the Cross is associated with four male figures, each engaging in a different activity. It is possible that these figures represent the Four Elements. In medieval and Renaissance imagery, the Elements are usually personified by female figures or by gods and goddesses. By the 1600s some painters chose to represent them as figures of the time, engaging in activities appropriate to each element. The Four Elements are Air, Earth Fire and Water. On this roundel the young nobleman with a falcon on his wrist symbolises Air. The youth digging with a spade is Earth. The blacksmith at his furnace protecting his face from the flames is Fire, and the elderly man drawing his fishing net is Water. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.82-1919 |
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| Record created | March 15, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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