Skip to main content

Austrian, 'The Trinity with Christ Crucified', about 1410

Key facts
Full title The Trinity with Christ Crucified
Artist Austrian
Date made about 1410
Medium and support egg tempera on wood
Dimensions 118.1 × 114.9 cm
Acquisition credit Bought with a contribution from the Art Fund, 1922
Inventory number NG3662
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
The Trinity with Christ Crucified
Austrian
/

This large painting shows the three divine beings of the Trinity: God the Father supports his son, Christ, who is shown crucified; he seems minute by comparison. The Holy Ghost is represented by a dove that hovers between the two. On either side, an angel kneels in adoration.

The simple colour scheme of green, red and white is striking against the gilded background. The patterned robes of the angels emulate damask and contrast with the austere simplicity of the white throne. Their decoration was created using imitation sgraffito, applying glazes of paint over areas of gilding, leaving some parts uncovered to create the patterns. This replicated the visual effects of the Italian sgraffito technique, where a layer of gold leaf was covered entirely by paint which was then scratched away in areas to reveal the metal beneath. The inscriptions on the scrolls crossed around the angels’ necks were not intended to be legible.

This panel once formed the central part of an altarpiece with panels on either side – the hinge marks are still visible on either side of the frame, which is original to the picture (four panels in Rastenberg Castle, Austria, have been identified as the side panels).

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo