Artwork
Christ on the Cross
Christ on the Cross is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ on the Cross is a 1506 woodcut print by Hans Baldung Grien, exemplifying his early work within the German Renaissance and emerging Mannerist styles.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the crucifixion of Christ, set against a distant cityscape. Figures in the foreground exhibit distress, conveying the emotional turmoil of the scene.
Technique & Style
Executed in woodcut, the piece showcases Baldung's expressive use of the medium, with pronounced shading and contrast that intensify the dramatic and tense atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created during Baldung's formative period, the work reflects his training under Albrecht Dürer, influencing his distinctive imaginative and expressive artistic voice.
Context
Part of the broader Renaissance movement, this work bridges traditional religious themes with the emerging complexities of Mannerism, characteristic of early 16th-century German art.
Legacy
As one of Baldung's early prints, Christ on the Cross contributes to his reputation for versatility across mediums (prints, drawings, stained glass) and his contribution to the evolution of German Renaissance and Mannerist art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Baldung (1484 or 1485 – September 1545), called Hans Baldung Grien, (being an early nickname, because of his predilection for the colour green), was a painter, printer, engraver, draftsman, and stained glass…
