Who painted The Man of Sorrows Seated?

The Man of Sorrows Seated was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1515.

Where can I see The Man of Sorrows Seated?

The Man of Sorrows Seated is held by British Museum.

What movement is The Man of Sorrows Seated?

The Man of Sorrows Seated is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Man of Sorrows Seated

Albrecht Dürer , 1515

The Man of Sorrows Seated is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the British Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1515, Albrecht Dürer’s etching titled *The Man of Sorrows Seated* presents a solitary figure of the crucified Christ. Executed on laid paper with iron plates, the work belongs to the print medium and is notable for its intimate scale and direct visual impact.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, his body bowed and marked by the wounds of the Passion. The composition emphasizes quiet suffering and contemplation, inviting the viewer to confront the physical reality of the crucifixion and its spiritual resonance.

Technique & Style

Dürer worked alone on the copper‑etched plate, achieving crisp, precise lines that delineate the figure’s anatomy and the surrounding shadows. The contrast of sharply rendered details with subtle tonal gradations creates a palpable sense of depth and immediacy, characteristic of his mature printmaking.

History & Provenance

Among Dürer’s oeuvre, this piece stands out as one of the few religious prints he produced without workshop assistance. Its survival in museum collections reflects the high regard for Dürer’s technical mastery and the rarity of such devotional works in his print catalog.