Artwork

The Passion: Christ Bearing the Cross

The Passion: Christ Bearing the Cross, by Martin Schongauer, 1480
The Passion: Christ Bearing the Cross, by Martin Schongauer, 1480

The Passion: Christ Bearing the Cross is a print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print is part of Martin Schongauer's Passion series, a set of twelve engravings depicting Christ's final days. Created around 1480, it showcases Schongauer's skill in conveying emotion and narrative through detailed compositions.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows Christ carrying the cross through Jerusalem's city gate, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers and tormentors. The Virgin Mary and Veronica are prominent among the figures, expressing grief and compassion.

Technique & Style

Schongauer's engraving technique achieves a high level of detail, with sharp lines and varied facial expressions. The crowded composition and emotive figures demonstrate his style, which was widely influential across Europe.

History & Provenance

The Passion series was extensively copied, indicating its significant impact on European art. As part of this series, Christ Bearing the Cross reflects Schongauer's innovative approach to narrative engraving.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Martin Schongauer

Artist

Martin Schongauer

Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.