Artwork
Christ Crowned with Thorns

Christ Crowned with Thorns is a paint print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ Crowned with Thorns is a hand-colored print created using the metalcut technique. The image depicts a scene with four figures, dominated by a central seated figure wearing a crown of thorns.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is likely Christ, shown being mocked or tormented, as indicated by the crown of thorns. The surrounding figures may represent those involved in his mistreatment, with one holding a staff and the other an unidentified object.
Technique & Style
The print's metalcut technique yields sharp lines, while hand-coloring in yellow, red-brown lake, and green adds flat, bright hues. The resulting image has a simple, graphic quality, with a fence-like border and basic trees in the background.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.






![Studies for Six Figures (sheet from a model book) [recto], by German 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-century--studies-for-six-figures-sheet-from-a-model-book-recto--4837429e0755bc3f-w320.webp)






