ticketsMember | Make a donation

Tyrolese Crucifix

1914
Not on view
Like "Tyrolese Interior," shown nearby, this watercolor was painted during the late summer or autumn of 1914 when Sargent was detained in the Tyrol after Britain and France declared war on Austria. Overtly religious symbols are rare in Sargent’s watercolors. This depiction of a carved crucifixion reflects his somber and foreboding mood as he waited to obtain the necessary travel documents to return to London. Roofed crosses were common sites in the Tyrol. Erected along roadsides or open fields, sometimes commemorative in function, such shrines served as spots of prayer and worship for travelers. Sargent exploits a low vantage point to render the lifeless, gaunt figure of Christ against a gnarled tree trunk.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tyrolese Crucifix
  • Artist: John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London)
  • Date: 1914
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Watercolor and graphite on white wove paper
  • Dimensions: 21 x 15 3/4 in. (53.3 x 40 cm)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.142.7
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mountain Landscape (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Mountain Landscape (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Wetterhorn, Grindelwald (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Watercolor and graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Wetterhorn, Grindelwald (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Mount Pilatus, recto (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Wax crayon on off-white wove paper, American
Mount Pilatus, recto (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Mountain View, Mürren (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Watercolor and graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Mountain View, Mürren (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
View from Schilthorn (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Graphite on off-white wove paper, American
View from Schilthorn (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.