Artwork

Christ on the Cross

Christ on the Cross, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1516
Christ on the Cross, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1516

Christ on the Cross is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1516 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The painting is called Christ on the Cross by Albrecht Dürer.
It was made in 1516 as a woodcut.
The artist created this work during the Renaissance, a time of great change in art and culture, and it's interesting to note that woodcuts like this one allowed for mass production of images.
You can learn more about this technique by looking up woodcut.

Overview

Christ on the Cross is a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer in 1516, representing a pivotal moment in Christian iconography.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, a central theme in Christian religious art, conveying themes of sacrifice and redemption.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the piece exemplifies Dürer's mastery of this medium, characterized by bold lines and textures, facilitating widespread dissemination of the image.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1516 during the Renaissance, the work reflects the era's artistic and cultural transformations, with woodcuts playing a key role in mass-producing religious imagery.

Context

Within the broader context of Renaissance art, this woodcut demonstrates how religious subjects were reinterpreted through emerging techniques, balancing tradition with innovation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.