Artwork

The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ before Caiaphas

The Fall and Redemption of Man:  Christ before Caiaphas, by Albrecht Altdorfer, 1515
The Fall and Redemption of Man:  Christ before Caiaphas, by Albrecht Altdorfer, 1515

The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ before Caiaphas is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Altdorfer's print, 'The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ before Caiaphas,' dates to around 1515. As a prominent figure in the Danube School, Altdorfer was known for integrating biblical narratives into expressive landscapes.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts Christ's trial before Caiaphas, with Christ at its center, hands bound, surrounded by gesturing figures. The emotional intensity of the men's faces conveys a range of reactions to Christ.

Technique & Style

Altdorfer's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama, with a warm light illuminating the figures against a dark background. This technique draws attention to Christ and heightens the emotional tension.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Altdorfer

Artist

Albrecht Altdorfer

Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.