Artwork
Christ on the Cross
Christ on the Cross is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 15th Century. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ on the Cross is a woodcut print on vellum depicting a crucifixion scene. The work features a simple black-and-white composition.
Subject & Meaning
The print centers on a crucified figure with nails in hands and feet. Below, a man lies on the ground, while a woman with clasped hands and a man holding a wrapped object stand nearby. The 'I.N.R.I.' letters on the crossbeam are a common reference to the titulus on Jesus' cross.
Technique & Style
The woodcut technique is evident in the print's style, achieved by cutting shapes into wood and applying ink to the resulting relief surface.
Artist & collection
Artist
This anonymous Italian engraver from the 1490s carved images that could be peeled apart like paper dolls—each knot in the "First Knot" print was cut from a single sheet so you could lift the loops right off the page.
![The Destruction of the Egyptian Idols [verso], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-destruction-of-the-egyptian-idols-verso--646d3c2b8098cfee-w320.webp)
![The Flight into Egypt [recto], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-flight-into-egypt-recto--8f4d5275d7f90f98-w320.webp)
