Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Antoine Jacquard. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Antoine Jacquard’s 1612 engraving titled The Crucifixion presents a circular composition centered on the biblical scene of Christ on the cross. The image is rendered entirely in black ink on a round copper plate, with a dark, cloud‑filled sky framing the central drama and ornamental borders that fill the peripheral space.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, surrounded by a varied crowd of onlookers in flowing garments. Some figures kneel in reverence while others stand, their gazes directed upward toward the suffering figure, emphasizing the solemnity and communal witness inherent in the Passion narrative.
Technique & Style
Jacquard employs fine cross‑hatching, using closely spaced parallel lines to model shadows and suggest volume. This meticulous line work creates a sense of three‑dimensionality despite the monochrome medium. The decorative rim features swirling motifs and small geometric shapes that frame the central scene and reflect the printmaking conventions of the early seventeenth century.
History & Provenance
Created in 1612, the engraving was produced during a period when religious prints were widely circulated for devotional purposes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the plate’s round format and detailed execution suggest it was intended for a private collector or a small devotional setting rather than mass distribution.
Artist & collection
