Artwork
Raising of the Cross
Raising of the Cross 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 *Raising of the Cross* is a black‑and‑white woodcut executed on laid paper circa 1513. The print captures the moment when a group of soldiers hoists a massive wooden cross, upon which a naked figure of Christ hangs with outstretched arms. The composition is dominated by a dense crowd, a bleak sky, and a few barren trees that frame the central drama.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts the biblical episode of Christ’s crucifixion, focusing on the physical effort required to erect the cross rather than the moment of death itself. By emphasizing the labor of the soldiers and the exposed body of the crucified figure, Altdorfer foregrounds human agency and suffering within a sacred narrative, inviting contemplation of both spiritual and earthly toil.
Technique & Style
Deep incised shadows and crisp outlines give the figures a sculptural quality, while the limited tonal range accentuates the tension of the scene.
Created with a woodcut matrix, the work relies on sharply cut lines and strong contrasts of black ink against the paper’s light surface. Deep incised shadows and crisp outlines give the figures a sculptural quality, while the limited tonal range accentuates the tension of the scene. Altdorfer’s handling of line reflects the precision typical of the Nuremberg Little Masters, yet retains the expressive landscape sensibility of the Danube School.
History & Provenance
Altdorfer, a leading member of the Danube School based in Regensburg, produced this print during the early 16th century, a period when he was also active as an engraver and painter. The woodcut was likely circulated among collectors of devotional prints, though specific ownership records before the modern era are scarce. It now resides in several major print collections worldwide.
Context
The early 1500s saw a flourishing of religious woodcuts in Northern Europe, serving both liturgical and private devotional purposes. Altdorfer’s *Raising of the Cross* aligns with this trend, combining narrative intensity with a landscape that mirrors the emotional tone of the event. The work also illustrates the artist’s broader interest in integrating human drama within natural settings, a hallmark of his output across media.
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…
