Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Hans Bol. It dates from 1574 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Crucifixion is a drawing created around 1574 by Hans Bol, a Flemish artist known for his landscapes and biblical scenes. It is executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts the crucifixion of Christ, with a crowd gathered around the cross. A robed figure points upward on the left, while a cityscape unfolds in the background on the right, populated by scattered figures.
Technique & Style
Bol employed cross-hatching, using fine ink lines to build up dark areas, creating a dramatic and three-dimensional effect. The technique adds depth and texture to the scene, with dark and precise lines defining shadows and forms.
History & Provenance
Bol created the work after establishing his career in Flanders, but around the time he moved to the Dutch Republic during the Siege of Antwerp.
Legacy
Bol's prints and designs, including this drawing, influenced later Dutch landscape and religious artists, contributing to the development of these genres.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Bol or Jan Bol (16 December 1534 – 20 November 1593), was a Flemish painter, miniature painter, print artist and draftsman.
