Artwork
The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives

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
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)












