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Christ Carrying the Cross

ca. 1577–87
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 958
During his long career in Spain, El Greco produced numerous paintings of Christ carrying the cross. The Lehman canvas, arguably his earliest version of the subject, is not a narrative scene: no other figures are represented and the setting is not recognizable. Instead, it is a devotional image of haunting immediacy and resonant with pathos. Christ's willing sacrifice for mankind is expressed through his gentle embrace of the cross and his heavenward gaze.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Christ Carrying the Cross
  • Artist: El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) (Greek, Iráklion (Candia) 1541–1614 Toledo)
  • Date: ca. 1577–87
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 41 5/16 x 31 1/8 in. (105 x 79 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.145
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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Sansovino-style frame, Pine back frame with lime upper moldings. Gilt; dark red-brown bole, blue background., Venetian
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Cardinal Fernando Niño de Guevara (1541–1609), El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) Greek, Oil on canvas
Cardinal Fernando Niño de Guevara (1541–1609)
El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos)
ca. 1600
Map of Greece, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae", Sebastiano di Re Italian, Engraving
Map of Greece, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
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Pintura Constructiva, Joaquín Torres-García Uruguayan, Oil on canvas
Pintura Constructiva
Joaquín Torres-García
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Dish: The Destruction of the Hosts of Pharaoh, Master IC (probably Jean Court) or French, Limoges, Painted enamel on copper, partly gilt.
Dish: The Destruction of the Hosts of Pharaoh
Master IC (probably Jean Court)
Jean Cour (or Court)
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