The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

The Crucifixion with a Carthusian Monk

The Crucifixion with a Carthusian Monk

c. 1460
(Flemish, c. 1399–1464)
Image: 37.1 x 27.3 cm (14 5/8 x 10 3/4 in.); Framed: 57.5 x 48 x 7 cm (22 5/8 x 18 7/8 x 2 3/4 in.); Unframed: 38.4 x 29.2 cm (15 1/8 x 11 1/2 in.)

Did You Know?

Carthusian monks can easily be identified by the white scapular or large rectangular piece of fabric, which is joined by bands at the side and has a hood attached to it.

Description

This painting shows a Carthusian monk kneeling in devotion and prayer before the Crucifixion. It is likely that this panel was intended for the cell of a monk in an unknown monastery. The Carthusians were particularly devoted to the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ, and devotional images were provided for each monk’s cell. The Carthusian order was founded by Saint Bruno in 1084 with the purpose of providing the strictest separation from the world. The first Carthusians were dedicated to contemplation through silence, prayer, poverty, penance, and almost continuous occupancy of a solitary cell. The solitary life could only be maintained through the establishment of separate cell houses. Each community of monks was limited to the apostolic number of 12, though exceptions were sometimes made. They were recognized by their white, full-length, cowled habit called the scapular, shown here. The artist has not been identified.
  • Private Collection, Lower Rhine, Germany
    (Paul Drey, Munich, Germany)
    ?-1931
    (A. S. Drey, New York, NY sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1931-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
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    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 68 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 68 archive.org
    Cleveland Museum of Art. Catalogue of Paintings. Pt. 1. European Paintings before 1500. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1974. Reproduced: fig. 56, p. 158 - 159
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    Jolly, Penny Howell. “Rogier van Der Weyden’s Escorial and Philadelphia Crucifixions and Their Relation to Fra Angelico at San Marco.” Oud-Holland 95, no. 3 (January 3, 1981). p. 125, no 34
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    Fliegel, Stephen N., and Stephen N. Fliegel. A Higher Contemplation: Sacred Meaning in the Christian Art of the Middle Ages. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2012. p. 81, fig 62
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  • Dukes and Angels: Art from the Court of Burgundy (1364-1419). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 24, 2004-January 9, 2005).
    Exhibition of the Month: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 3-August 29, 1949).
    The Silver Jubilee Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 23-September 28, 1941).
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  • {{cite web|title=The Crucifixion with a Carthusian Monk|url=false|author=Rogier van der Weyden|year=c. 1460|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1931.449