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Christ Carrying the Cross

ca. 1520–25
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 635

Christ appears isolated outside the walls of Jerusalem, stumbling and weighed down by the heavy burden of the cross. His elaborate pose reflects Gossart’s study of Roman sculpture. Intended for private meditation, this poignant depiction of the suffering Savior responds to popular devotional texts that advocated personal and empathetic contemplation focused on the individual events of Christ’s Passion.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Christ Carrying the Cross
  • Artist: Jan Gossart (called Mabuse) (Netherlandish, Maubeuge ca. 1478–1532 Antwerp (?))
  • Date: ca. 1520–25
  • Medium: Oil on oak
  • Dimensions: 9 7/8 × 7 1/2 in. (25.1 × 19 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Honorable J. William Middendorf II, and Purchase, Walter and Leonore Annenberg and The Annenberg Foundation Gift, Director's Fund, Gift of George A. Hearn, by exchange, and Marquand and The Alfred N. Punnett Endowment Funds, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.39
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Virgin and Child Seated at the Foot of a Tree
Jan Gossart (called Mabuse)
1522
Christian II, King of Denmark, Jan Gossart (called Mabuse) Netherlandish, Engraving; first state of two
Christian II, King of Denmark
Jan Gossart (called Mabuse)
Jacob Binck
1529
The Marriage of Henry the VIIth and Elizabeth of York, Jan Gossart (called Mabuse) Netherlandish, Etching and engraving on chine collé
The Marriage of Henry the VIIth and Elizabeth of York
Multiple artists/makers
February 15, 1826
The Virgin and Child Seated at the Foot of a Tree, Jan Gossart (called Mabuse) Netherlandish, Engraving
The Virgin and Child Seated at the Foot of a Tree
Jan Gossart (called Mabuse)
1522
Portrait of a Man, Jan Gossart (called Mabuse) Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Portrait of a Man
Jan Gossart (called Mabuse)
ca. 1520–25

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