Christ on the Cross

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Spanish
1617-1682
Christ on the Cross
1660-70
Oil on canvas
82-1/4 x 44-1/2 in.

In this late painting by Murillo, the luminous figure of Christ appears against an ominous sky. Below him, at the left, the outlines of the city of Jerusalem are visible within the shadowy mists.

According to Christian doctrine, Christ's sacrifice on the cross brought about the possibility of man's redemption from the original sin of Adam. Thus, the skull at the base of the cross suggests Adam and also Golgotha, where the crucifixion occurred. The inscription at the top of the cross reads "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Provenance:

Kaunitz collection, Vienna, 1820
Purchased at auction March 13, 1820 [1] by Count Johann Rudolf Czernin (1757–1845), until 1845
By descent to Count Franz Czernin (d. 1932), Czernin collection, Vienna, until 1932
By descent to Count Eugen Czernin von Chudenitz (1892–1955), until 1955 [2]
Acquired by the Putnam Foundation, 1955 [3]

Provenance Notes:

[1] Probable date of sale
[2] According to the Art Loss Register, the collection of Count Jaromir Czernin, Vienna, was subject to looting by the Nazi regime. While this might be the case, Jaromir had dealt extensively with Nazi authorities––eventually selling Vermeer’s The Art of Painting to Hitler––and his claims for restitution have been often discredited. The Timken’s Murillo, however, belonged not to Count Jaromir, but rather to his uncle, Eugen Czernin von Chudenitz (also a count), who apparently made no claims of wartime looting. The painting was exhibited as part of the Czernin collection, with the permission of Count Eugen, in 1951 (Sion [Valais], Switzerland, Musée de la Majorie, 1951, La Collection Czernin de Vienne, no. 27, with cat. entries after Wilczek, 1936). This clearly establishes continuity of legitimate ownership through the Nazi era.
[3] An undated note in the Timken file suggests that Wildenstein handled the transaction.