![{Devotional Image}, [Bearing of the Cross] , [Upper Germany, ca. 1440].](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1600,h_1600,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/hsrarebooks/images/view/c3352158d4cbee4e6fbbfc95cd7406fap/hsrarebooks-devotional-image-bearing-of-the-cross-upper-germany-ca.-1440-..png)
{Devotional Image}
[Bearing of the Cross] , [Upper Germany, ca. 1440].
Devotional images originated in women's convents in the first half of the 14th century from the need to own such images personally, for example as a decorative insert in a prayer book. They were also distributed outside the monastery by itinerant preachers to support their sermons. Demand was soon so great that a lively trade developed. The images were initially painted by hand in small formats on parchment, paper or fabric. Typical motifs included the infant Jesus, the Passion of Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saints. They became widespread by the 15th century as simple rubbing prints or bread dough prints. Although produced in relatively large numbers, early devotional images are usually exceedingly rare today, as they were often very worn out and used up.
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Rubbing print on vellum, coloured and heightened with gold. (108x84 mm). Vellum discoloured, tiny pinholes in the corners. Two faint traces of water droplets at the lower left corner.
Provenance: Jacques Rosenthal (1854-1937). – August Laube, catalogue, autumn 2012, item no. 1.
Provenance: Jacques Rosenthal (1854-1937). – August Laube, catalogue, autumn 2012, item no. 1.
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