The Virgin on a Crescent Moon

The Virgin on a Crescent Moon

Title

The Virgin on a Crescent Moon

[Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

Painting on softwood

Medium

Painting on softwood

[Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

In the 'Virgin on a Crescent Moon' two pictorial types are combined: the Virgin standing with the Child and the apocalyptical motif of the 'woman clothed with the sun' (Rev 12 1). It is linked to thoughts about the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Virgin; the motif can

In the 'Virgin on a Crescent Moon' two pictorial types are combined: the Virgin standing with the Child and the apocalyptical motif of the 'woman clothed with the sun' (Rev 12 1). It is linked to thoughts about the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Virgin; the motif can also be interpreted as a symbol of the church (Maria-Ekklesia), and appeared in medieval painting and - more frequently- sculpture. Corresponding interpretations of the Vision of St John have evolved in theology since the time of the Church Fathers.

The Virgin is depicted here with an insignia, a scepter and a crown, identifying her as the Queen of Heaven. Angels and cherubs surround her. The infant Christ in her arms holds an apple, symbolic of the eradication of Original Sin, which was introduced by Adam and Eve. The characteristic motif of the 'old' Faith from the beginning of the Reformation is evident in the concentration of meaning and the central position occupied by the Mother of Jesus; it is not entirely coincidental that the motif experienced a revival during the Counterreformation after the Council of Trent; and frequently with a decidedly anti-reformist message.

[...] his [Albrecht of Brandenburg] shield (four span with the three central coats-of-arms of the dioceses Mainz, Halberstadt, Magdeburg). In addition to the insignia of a cardinal there is also a sword, which Albrecht received from Emperor Maximilian I. on the occasion of his ordination in 1518. [...]

The source of inspiration for the artist may have been engravings by Albrecht Dürer, in which the motif often appears.'

[Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg 2007, 274]

Attributions
Anonymous Master from the Cranach Workshop
Master of the Mass of St Gregory

Attributions

Anonymous Master from the Cranach Workshop

[Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

Master of the Mass of St Gregory

[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, No. Sup 13]

Simon Franck

[Tacke 1992, 33, 41-169]

Production date
about 1520 - 1530

Production date

about 1520 - 1530

[Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 83.5 x 67.5 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 83.5 x 67.5 cm

  • [Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

Owner
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
Repository
Staatsgalerie im Schloss Johannisburg, Aschaffenburg
Location
Aschaffenburg
CDA ID
DE_BStGS_6276
FR (1978) Nr.
FRSup013
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_6276/

Provenance

  • probably in the collegial church, Halle until 1541
  • until 1802/1803 in the collegial church, Aschaffenburg[1]
    [1] [Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg 2007, 274]
    [Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011, 142]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Munich 2011 142
AuthorMartin Schawe
EditorBayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
TitleCranach in Bayern
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2011
Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg 2007 274 No. 15 Fig. p. 275
EditorGerhard Ermischer, Andreas Tacke
TitleCranach im Exil. Aschaffenburg um 1540. Zuflucht - Schatzkammer - Residenz. Ausstellungskatalog Schloss Johannisburg und Kunsthalle Jesuitenkirche
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2007
Hauschke 2007 181 Fig. 15
AuthorSven Hauschke
TitleDas messing gegossen gehewss umb meyn grabe. Albrechts Grabmal in der Aschaffenburger Stiftskirche.
Publicationin Gerhard Ermischer, Andreas Tacke, eds., Cranach im Exil. Aschaffenburg um 1540. Zuflucht, Schatzkammer, Residenz, Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2007
Pages173-185
Schawe 2007 A 215, 221, 223 Fig. 1
AuthorMartin Schawe
TitleCranach in Aschaffenburg. 1814 bis heute
Publicationin Gerhard Ermischer, Andreas Tacke, ed., Cranach im Exil- Aschafffenburg um 1540. Zuflucht, Schatzkammer, Residenz
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2007
Pages215-225
Merkel 2004 78f.
AuthorKerstin Merkel
TitleJenseits-Sicherung. Kardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg und seine Grabmäler
Place of PublicationRegensburg
Year of Publication2004
Exhib. Cat. Aschaffenburg 2002 No. 163
EditorRainhard Riepertinger, Evamaria Brockhoff, Katharina Heinemann, Jutta Schumann
TitleDas Rätsel Grünewald [Schloss Johannisburg, Aschaffenburg]
Place of PublicationAugsburg
Year of Publication2002
Tacke 1992 114
AuthorAndreas Tacke
TitleDer katholische Cranach. Zu zwei Großaufträgen von Lucas Cranach d. Ä., Simon Franck und der Cranach-Werkstatt (1520 - 1540)
SeriesBerliner Schriften zur Kunst
Volume2
Place of PublicationMainz
Year of Publication1992
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 No. Sup 13
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Cat. Aschaffenburg 1975 64
Authorn. a.
TitleBayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Galerie Aschaffenburg. Katalog
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication1975
Steinmann 1968 A 86
AuthorUlrich Steinmann
TitleDer Bilderschmuck der Stiftskirche zu Halle. Cranachs Passionszyklus und Grünewalds Erasmus-Mauritius-Tafel
Volume11
JournalForschungen und Berichte. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1968
Pages69 - 104
  • The Virgin on a Crescent Moon, about 1520 - 1530

Images

Compare images
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • overall
  • irr
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail

Technical studies

06. 2012Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Materials:

- fluid, black medium and brush; the initial design was probably fixed employing very diluted medium

Type/Ductus:

- freehand underdrawing

- thin lines

- washes and occasional hatching-strokes

Function:

- binding for the final painted version; lines delineate contours and describe the essential details and the facial features; some representation of volume (hatching-strokes and washes)

Deviations:

- minor alterations made during the painting process to clearly define form

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Simon Franck/Master of the Mass of St Gregory?

Comments:

- probably with reference to a preparatory drawing

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2012]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The Virgin on a Crescent Moon', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_6276/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The Virgin on a Crescent Moon', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_6276/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

Help us to improve the Cranach Digital Archive.

Please contact us, if you have noticed a mistake.