Artwork
Christ on the Cross
Christ on the Cross is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Netherlandish 15th Century. It dates from 1455 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ on the Cross is a hand-colored woodcut print depicting a crucifixion scene. It is printed on two sheets of paper joined together.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Christ on the cross, flanked by two smaller figures, one holding a spear and the other a cloth or possibly a sponge. The scene is a representation of the Crucifixion, a pivotal event in Christian narrative.
Technique & Style
The image was created using the woodcut technique, where a design is carved into a wooden block and then printed. The print is hand-colored in muted tones, with heavy outlines defining the figures and objects.
Context
The style and technique of the print are characteristic of early printmaking, suggesting a date consistent with the development of woodcut in Europe during the medieval or early Renaissance period.
Artist & collection
Artist
These prints show Christ’s suffering in bold, hand-colored images from 15th-century Northern Europe.
![The Crucifixion [verso], by French 12th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/french-12th-century--the-crucifixion-verso--cef697082a2df4f0-w320.webp)
![Christ on the Cross [reverse], by Andrea di Bartolo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/andrea-di-bartolo--christ-on-the-cross-reverse--6bfe980f802a6327-w320.webp)