Artwork
The Entry into Jerusalem
The Entry into Jerusalem 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 woodcut, *The Entry into Jerusalem*, dates to circa 1513. Executed on laid paper, the print captures the biblical moment when Jesus rides a donkey into the city, surrounded by a crowd brandishing palm branches. The composition combines figures with an expansive urban and natural backdrop, illustrating Altdorfer’s characteristic blend of narrative and landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays the triumphal entry described in the Gospels, emphasizing the reverence of the onlookers who look upward toward the central figure. The palm fronds, traditional symbols of victory and peace, reinforce the theological significance of the event as a prelude to the Passion, while the surrounding architecture situates the scene within Jerusalem’s historic setting.
Technique & Style
Altdorfer employs a fine‑cut woodblock technique, rendering delicate lines and intricate textures that convey depth and spatial recession. Careful cross‑hatching creates tonal variation, while contrasting dark and light areas heighten drama. The meticulous detailing aligns the work with the Nuremberg Little Masters, a group noted for their small‑scale, highly finished prints.
History & Provenance
Created during Altdorfer’s mature period, the print reflects his role as a leading figure of the Danube School, where landscape began to be treated as an autonomous element. Though originally produced for a devotional market, the work later entered private collections before being acquired by museums specializing in Renaissance prints, illustrating its continued scholarly interest.
Context
Altdorfer’s career spanned painting, engraving, and architecture, and his prints often juxtapose narrative scenes with richly detailed natural settings. This approach anticipates later developments in landscape art, positioning the *Entry into Jerusalem* as an early example of integrating topographical observation with religious storytelling within the Northern Renaissance.
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…
