Artwork

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives

The Small Passion:  Christ on the Mount of Olives, by Albrecht Dürer, 1510
The Small Passion:  Christ on the Mount of Olives, by Albrecht Dürer, 1510

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer's *The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives* (1510) is a woodcut from a series illustrating key moments in the Passion of Christ. It is now held in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a biblical scene where Christ kneels in prayer on the Mount of Olives, flanked by three sleeping disciples. An angel in the background holds a cross, foreshadowing Christ's crucifixion. The composition contrasts Christ's devotion with the disciples' obliviousness.

Technique & Style

Characterized by Dürer's meticulous woodcut technique, the work features intricate lines, nuanced shading, and strategic use of light and shadow to evoke depth and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1510, this woodcut exemplifies Dürer's renowned printmaking skills, which earned him widespread European recognition. Its current location is the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

Part of Dürer's *Small Passion* series, this work reflects the Renaissance emphasis on detailed, emotionally charged representations of religious themes.

Legacy

As a seminal work by a leading German Renaissance artist, it influences the broader tradition of Passion narratives in European art, embodying Dürer's technical and expressive innovations.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.

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