Artwork

The Sacred Monograph with the Crucifixion and Passion Symbols [recto]

The Sacred Monograph with the Crucifixion and Passion Symbols [recto] 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. This print, created using the metalcut technique and hand-colored, depicts a complex design with multiple scenes and symbols.

About this work

The whole thing looks like it was cut from metal and then painted by hand.

This image shows a strange, blocky design with four small scenes. At the top, a man is nailed to a cross. Two figures stand beside him—one holds a spear, the other a jar. Below, a circle with a cross inside sits on a bed of leaves and flames.

The whole thing looks like it was cut from metal and then painted by hand. The colors are faded but still pop in green, yellow, and pink. The text around the edges is in Latin, but it’s hard to read.

Want to know more? Look up German 15th Century artists next.

Overview

This print, created using the metalcut technique and hand-colored, depicts a complex design with multiple scenes and symbols. The image is rendered on laid paper and features Latin text around its edges.

Subject & Meaning

The print's central scene shows the Crucifixion, with two figures beside the cross, one holding a spear and the other a jar. Below, a circle with a cross is surrounded by leaves and flames, suggesting themes related to Christ's Passion.

Technique & Style

The metalcut technique was used to create the print, which was then hand-colored in faded but still visible hues of green, yellow, and pink. The blocky design and use of metalcut suggest a 15th-century German origin.