Title: Crucifixion with the Donor

Artist: Nuremberg Master

Title: The Crucifixion with the Donor Sigismund Held and His Family; An Epitaph for Katharina Held of Nuremberg Date: About 1518 Artist: Nuremberg Master Artist Details: Germany, active Nuremberg, early 1500s Medium: Oil on panel Description This dramatic painting originally hung in Nuremberg’s St. Sebald church, where it commemorated the death of Katharina Held. Christ’s mother, the Virgin Mary (left), and Saint John the Evangelist (right) grieve over Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. Their mournful expressions inspired the compassion and prayers of Catholic worshippers. The elaborate dress of the penitent Mary Magdalen (center) and the gold background reference the style of older devotional paintings. Kneeling in the lower register, flanked by saints and coats of arms, are the merchant Sigismund Held (left), Katharina’s husband and patron of the painting, Katharina herself (right), and their children.