Artwork
Christ Crowned with Thorns
Christ Crowned with Thorns is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1513 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer's 'Christ Crowned with Thorns' is a woodcut on laid paper, created around 1513. It exemplifies the artist's work within the Danube School, known for expressive landscapes and detailed renderings.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dramatic scene where three men surround a kneeling figure wearing a crown of thorns, referencing the Passion of Christ. A crowd observes from a balcony in the background, adding to the narrative's tension.
Technique & Style
The woodcut technique involved carving a design into wood, then printing it onto paper. Altdorfer's use of this method resulted in a detailed, high-contrast image characteristic of his style and that of the Nuremberg Little Masters, known for finely crafted engravings and prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
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…
