The Frankfurt Altarpiece of the Exaltation of the True Cross c. 1603 - 1605

Adam Elsheimer painted this copper panel, “The Frankfurt Altarpiece of the Exaltation of the True Cross,” around 1600. Working on copper, rather than canvas, allowed Elsheimer to achieve a jewel-like quality and exceptional detail, using thin glazes of oil paint. Copper’s smooth, non-porous surface enabled the artist to create luminous effects as light reflects through the layers of paint. The exquisite, meticulous technique involved many hours of labor, building up the image in translucent layers. Elsheimer was part of a shift in art towards smaller, more portable, and highly crafted works, as well as a growing market for art among the rising merchant classes in Europe. The use of copper, a relatively costly material, also speaks to the painting’s intended audience: wealthy patrons who appreciated refined craftsmanship. Ultimately, the choice of material, the processes used to manipulate it, and the social context in which Elsheimer worked, combine to give this painting its full resonance.