Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1511 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer’s 1511 engraving titled *The Crucifixion* presents a stark depiction of the biblical event. Executed in the German Renaissance, the work is part of Dürer’s extensive print oeuvre and is currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image centers on a figure nailed to a cross, his body contorted in evident suffering. Flanking the crucifix are three onlookers: a praying woman, a youthful man with clasped hands gazing upward, and an armored soldier brandishing a spear. A skull rests in the foreground, underscoring themes of mortality and redemption.
Technique & Style
Dürer employed deep, incised lines to model musculature and drapery, creating a pronounced contrast of light and shadow that heightens the scene’s drama. This use of strong chiaroscuro, a hallmark of early 16th‑century printmaking, allows the engraving to convey volume and emotional intensity within the limits of the medium.
History & Provenance
Created during Dürer’s mature period, the engraving reflects his reputation as a master of both woodcut and engraving by his early thirties. After circulating among collectors, the piece entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public.
Context
The work belongs to a broader corpus of Dürer’s religious productions, which include altarpieces and theoretical treatises on art. Its composition and technical execution illustrate the Northern Renaissance’s emphasis on detailed observation and the integration of theological symbolism with sophisticated print techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
