Artwork
The Passion: Christ Carrying the Cross
The Passion: Christ Carrying the Cross 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
The painting shows Jesus carrying a large cross.
He's walking with a group of people.
The painting has a lot of emotion, and the artist used a lot of detail to show this, like the expressions on the people's faces and the way Jesus is struggling with the cross.
You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617)
Overview
The Passion: Christ Carrying the Cross is a 1597 religious print by Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
Depicting a pivotal moment in Christian iconography, the work shows Jesus Christ burdened by a large cross, surrounded by a procession of figures, conveying intense emotional depth through nuanced facial expressions and bodily struggles.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employed meticulous detail to evoke emotional resonance, characteristic of his style, which emphasized expressive facial renderings and dynamic postures to capture dramatic tension.
History & Provenance
Created in 1597, the print is part of Goltzius's oeuvre from his active period in the Netherlands; it is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
This work reflects the religious themes prevalent in late 16th-century Dutch art, with Goltzius's unique stylistic approach situating it within the broader context of Northern European printmaking.
Legacy
As part of Goltzius's body of work, it contributes to the artist's reputation for expressive and emotionally charged religious subjects, influencing subsequent generations of Dutch printmakers.
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.
