Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John

Bernard van Orley (in circa 1525)

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Cassandra asked

What is the provenance of Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John by Bernard van Orley - where was it placed throughout history/originally?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Cassandra, this panel was donated in 1867 to the museum by Mrs. Viruly-van Vuren-van Dalem. She had obtained it in 1850 when the collection of the Dutch king William II were auctioned. He had obtained it in 1818 from an art dealer in Brussels, named L.J. Nieuwenhuys. Where the painting was before is not completely clear. We know a name (Himbert) and there is also the suggestion that it was in a Dominican cloister. The panel, which originally was a triptych, was commissioned by Margaretha of Austria. I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with your research! Els

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TMSFoto/OK/1629 (OK)_XRF-STITCH_RKG2020_06-11.jpg

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More information

Read aloud

The work, of which the side panels have not survived, shows Jesus on the cross with Mary to the left and John to the right. God the Father and the Holy Ghost in the shape of a dove are shown above the crucifixion scene. Together with Christ they form a depiction of the Holy Trinity. To the left and the right of the cross, an additional two figures are shown on fields of clouds. To the left a woman with four naked children, above which is written the text: 'Sanguinis hoc preciu distribua indigenis’ (I shall distribute this ransom in blood [or: this liberating/priceless blood] to those in need). To the right there is a woman who is pushing a sword into its scabbard. The woman to the right is a personification of Justitia (Justice); probably Isabella of Austria, the wife of Christiaan II of Denmark, is portrayed here. The woman to the left depicts Caritas (Charity); this is certainly a portrait of Orley’s client, Margaretha of Austria. It is rather rare to see such personifications on crucifixion scenes.

Collection book

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Specifications

Title	Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John
Material and technique	Oil on panel
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is travelling

Dimensions	Height 140 cm Width 91 cm
Artists	Painter: Bernard van Orley
Accession number	1629 (OK)
Credits	Gift J.C. Viruly-Matthijsen, 1867
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1867
Creation date	in circa 1525
Internal exhibitions	Van Eyck tot Bruegel (1994) De collectie als tijdmachine (2017)
External exhibitions	Nederlandsche Kunst van de XVde en XVIde eeuw (1945) Willem II & Anna Paulowna. Royal Splendour at the Dutch Court (2013) Collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Bruegel’s ‘The Tower of Babel’ and Great 16th Century Masters (2017) De kunst van het recht (2016) Bernard van Orley. Brussel en de Renaissance (2019) Roep om rechtvaardigheid (2018) Vaste opstelling Hof van Busleyden (2024)
Material	Panel > Worked wood > Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Oil > Paint > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Geographical origin	Southern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe