CRANACH, Lucas the Elder
(b. 1472, Kronach, d. 1553, Weimar)

Farewell of Christ to His Mother

c. 1520
Lindenwood, 110 x 84 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Christ is said to have met his mother as well as Mary Magdalene, Mary Cleophas and Mary Salome in front of the house of Lazarus one last time before his ordeal. On Cranach's panel painting, he faces the anguished women in front of a wide landscape with a comforting gesture. The composition exists in several versions, of which the Viennese is considered the earliest and highest quality.