Artwork
The Passion
The Passion is a print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hendrick Goltzius’s 1597 print titled The Passion is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Executed in the late sixteenth century, the work presents a domestic interior populated by figures in modest attire, arranged around a central table.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the composition sits a long‑haired figure bearing a halo, suggesting a sacred presence amid a gathering of individuals who are eating and drinking. The quiet demeanor of the participants conveys a contemplative atmosphere, inviting reflection on the spiritual theme implied by the title.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employs the precise line work and chiaroscuro typical of late Renaissance printmaking, rendering the stone‑walled room, high ceiling, and distant cityscape with careful attention to perspective. The contrast between the illuminated central figure and the surrounding figures enhances the sense of depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1597, The Passion entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain limited. The print reflects Goltzius’s mature period, when his reputation as a leading Dutch engraver was firmly established.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
