Corpus
- Culture
- German
- Culture
- Mosan, c.1000–c.1299
- Date
- c.1150
- Material
- Bronze and gilding
- possibly from
- Niedersachsen state, Germany, Europe
- possibly from
- Lorraine region, France, Europe
- Classification
- Metalwork, sculpture
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 237
- Dimensions
- 7 x 7 1/16 in. (17.8 x 17.9 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 73:1949
NOTES
This figure of the crucified Christ (traditionally called a corpus, Latin for body) presents remarkable three-dimensional modeling and emotional sensibility. Details such as Christ’s pectoral muscles, ribs, distinct locks of hair, and the blood flowing from his wound lend a sense of realism to the figure. Christ’s bowed head and closed eyes evoke his suffering. At the same time, the rhythmic folds of his carefully rendered loincloth and the authority of his oversized hands bring an air of gravity and dignity to the diminutive form. This figure of Christ was originally nailed to a metal or wooden cross—note the holes in his hands.
Provenance
by 1872 -
Sigmaringen Collection, Sigmaringen, Germany [1]
- 1929
Goldschmidt Galleries, New York, NY, USA [2]
1929 - 1949
Brummer Gallery, Inc. (Joseph Brummer, d. 1947), New York, NY, USA, purchased from Goldschmidt Galleries [3]
1949/05 -
Saint Louis Art Museum purchased through R. Stora and Company, New York, at the sale of the Joseph Brummer Collection, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York May 11-14, 1949, lot no. 377 [4]
Notes:
[1] The Sigmaringen Collection was founded by Prince Karl Anton von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1811-1885). He was succeeded in the title by Prince Leopold (titled 1885-1905) and Prince Wilhelm (titled 1905-1927), who further enhanced the collection. When it could no longer be maintained as a private museum, a sizeable portion of the collection went to the Staedelschen Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt. Another portion was put up for auction in 1933 ["Aus Beständen der alten Fürstlich Hohenzollernschen Sammlung Sigmaringen." Hugo Helbing, Frankfurt am Main, November 30 - December 2, introduction; Sprinz, Heiner and Otto Lossen. "Die Bildwerke der Fürstlich Hohenzollernschen Sammlung Sigmaringen." Stuttgart: Montana Verlag A.-G., 1925, IX]. An 1872 catalogue of the Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Museum zu Sigmaringen most likely refers to SLAM's "Corpus" in its description of the Christ figure of "Christus am Kreuze" [Lehner, F.A. "Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Museum zu Sigmaringen: Verzeichniss der Metallarbeiten." Sigmaringen: Druch der Hofbuchhandlung von C. Tappen, 1872, cat. no. 366]. The Sigmaringen Collection is also named as a previous collection on the Joseph Brummer Gallery stockcard [no. N2641, photocopy in SLAM document files].
[2] The Joseph Brummer Gallery stockcard indicates that the object was purchased from Goldschmidt Galleries on March 8, 1929 [Photocopy in SLAM document files].
[3] See note [2]. Furthermore, in 1940 the "Corpus" was lent to "Arts of the Middle Ages: A Loan Exhibition" ["Arts of the Middle Ages: A Loan Exhibition." Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, February 17 - March 24, 1940]. Finally, after Joseph Brummer's death, the object was offered for sale in the 1949 auction of his estate ["Notable Art Collection belonging to the Estate of the Late Joseph Brummer." Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 11-14, 1949, lot no. 377].
[4] See invoice dated May 29, 1949 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, October 6, 1949.
Sigmaringen Collection, Sigmaringen, Germany [1]
- 1929
Goldschmidt Galleries, New York, NY, USA [2]
1929 - 1949
Brummer Gallery, Inc. (Joseph Brummer, d. 1947), New York, NY, USA, purchased from Goldschmidt Galleries [3]
1949/05 -
Saint Louis Art Museum purchased through R. Stora and Company, New York, at the sale of the Joseph Brummer Collection, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York May 11-14, 1949, lot no. 377 [4]
Notes:
[1] The Sigmaringen Collection was founded by Prince Karl Anton von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1811-1885). He was succeeded in the title by Prince Leopold (titled 1885-1905) and Prince Wilhelm (titled 1905-1927), who further enhanced the collection. When it could no longer be maintained as a private museum, a sizeable portion of the collection went to the Staedelschen Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt. Another portion was put up for auction in 1933 ["Aus Beständen der alten Fürstlich Hohenzollernschen Sammlung Sigmaringen." Hugo Helbing, Frankfurt am Main, November 30 - December 2, introduction; Sprinz, Heiner and Otto Lossen. "Die Bildwerke der Fürstlich Hohenzollernschen Sammlung Sigmaringen." Stuttgart: Montana Verlag A.-G., 1925, IX]. An 1872 catalogue of the Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Museum zu Sigmaringen most likely refers to SLAM's "Corpus" in its description of the Christ figure of "Christus am Kreuze" [Lehner, F.A. "Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Museum zu Sigmaringen: Verzeichniss der Metallarbeiten." Sigmaringen: Druch der Hofbuchhandlung von C. Tappen, 1872, cat. no. 366]. The Sigmaringen Collection is also named as a previous collection on the Joseph Brummer Gallery stockcard [no. N2641, photocopy in SLAM document files].
[2] The Joseph Brummer Gallery stockcard indicates that the object was purchased from Goldschmidt Galleries on March 8, 1929 [Photocopy in SLAM document files].
[3] See note [2]. Furthermore, in 1940 the "Corpus" was lent to "Arts of the Middle Ages: A Loan Exhibition" ["Arts of the Middle Ages: A Loan Exhibition." Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, February 17 - March 24, 1940]. Finally, after Joseph Brummer's death, the object was offered for sale in the 1949 auction of his estate ["Notable Art Collection belonging to the Estate of the Late Joseph Brummer." Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 11-14, 1949, lot no. 377].
[4] See invoice dated May 29, 1949 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, October 6, 1949.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.