Artwork

Christ on the Mount of Olives

Christ on the Mount of Olives, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1510
Christ on the Mount of Olives, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1510

Christ on the Mount of Olives is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christ on the Mount of Olives is a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer around 1510. It is a representation of the biblical scene known as the Agony in the Garden.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dramatic scene with three figures: one on the ground, clutching their head, another leaning over them, and a third standing with a cross. The chaotic composition conveys a moment of intense emotion.

Technique & Style

The artist employed sharp, jagged lines to convey turmoil, evident in the twisted faces and rippling clothing. The dense, swirling background lines evoke a sense of a storm or crowd, adding to the overall tension.

Context

This work is a product of Dürer's expertise in woodcut technique, a medium he mastered and innovated.

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.