Who painted The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion was painted by German 15th Century in 1490.

Where can I see The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Crucifixion

German 15th Century , 1490

The Crucifixion is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting the crucifixion of a man bearing a crown of thorns. The scene is rendered in flat, vivid hues: two women in blue and red garments, two haloed men, a simple blue sky with wavy lines, and a grassy ground dotted with small trees. The figures appear blocky, outlined in bold lines, characteristic of early printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

At its core, the image presents the biblical moment of Christ’s death on the cross, surrounded by witnesses traditionally identified as the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and the two thieves. The inclusion of halos signals the sanctity of the male figures, while the bright clothing of the women emphasizes their devotional presence.

Technique & Style

Created through woodcut, the artist carved the composition into a wooden block, inked the relief, and transferred the image onto paper. After printing, the work was hand‑colored, a common practice that added chromatic detail to otherwise monochrome prints. The stylized, stiff forms and strong outlines reflect the conventions of early European religious prints.

Context

Woodcut prints of religious subjects were widely circulated in the late medieval and early modern periods as affordable devotional images. This piece fits within that tradition, serving both as a visual aid for personal piety and as a means of disseminating biblical narratives to a broader audience.