Artwork
The Passion: Christ Taken Captive
The Passion: Christ Taken Captive is a print by the Renaissance artist Israhel van Meckenem. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1480 by the German engraver Israhel van Meckenem, this copperplate print forms part of a larger devotional series on the Passion of Christ. The image captures the moment when Christ is seized, presenting a densely populated tableau that emphasizes the turmoil of the scene. The work is currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays the biblical episode of Christ’s capture, focusing on the central figures—two men bound together, one partially clothed and the other in a loose robe—surrounded by armed soldiers and onlookers. The chaotic arrangement underscores the violence and confusion surrounding the event, inviting contemplation of the suffering inherent in the Passion narrative.
Technique & Style
Van Meckenem employs fine, incisive lines typical of late‑15th‑century engraving, using cross‑hatching to model volume and suggest depth within a cramped space. The crowded arrangement of figures, rendered with sharp contour and varied shading, creates a sense of movement and tension, characteristic of Northern European printmaking of the period.
History & Provenance
Active between 1465 and 1503, Israhel van Meckenem was the most prolific printmaker of his century, producing over six hundred engravings, many of which copied earlier works. This particular print, part of his religious series, entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains on view.
Artist & collection
Artist
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
