Artwork

Christ Bearing the Cross

Christ Bearing the Cross, by German 15th Century, ink, 1500
Christ Bearing the Cross, by German 15th Century, ink, 1500

Christ Bearing the Cross is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christ Bearing the Cross is a small, hand-colored woodcut on vellum, depicting a pivotal moment in Christian iconography with a distinct visual approach.

Subject & Meaning

The scene centers on a haloed Christ, weary, bearing the cross, surrounded by helpers and observing angels, set against a sparse backdrop with minimal elements like rocks and a bird.

Technique & Style

Characterized by bright, flat colors and bold outlines, the work employs simple shapes to convey narrative, reflective of early printed image aesthetics preceding photography.

History & Provenance

No specific historical ownership or creation date details are provided, highlighting the piece's anonymous provenance within the broader context of early woodcut practices.

Context

Created using the woodcut technique, a prevalent method for mass-producing images before photographic technology, this piece aligns with the stylistic and technical norms of its era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

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