The Entry into Jerusalem
Original title: The Entry into Jerusalem; Christ riding on a donkey towards an arched city gate; an elderly man spreads out his cloak on the road, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving portrays Christ's entry into Jerusalem: he rides an ass, surrounded by a crowd. The print was made sometime between 1500 and 1534 and derives from a composition by Albrecht Dürer from his 'Passion of Christ' series. This is the second of three states.
Description
Christ approaches on an ass toward a city gate with an arch. An older man spreads his cloak on the road, while others in Renaissance garments line the scene. A large arched bridge and palm trees appear behind. The arrangement is lively and directs the eye to Christ, whom radiating lines highlight.
Context
Raimondi made this engraving after a model by Albrecht Dürer that belongs to his 'Small Passion'. The artist was known for his reproductive engravings after Dürer and other masters. The dating around 1500–34 covers Raimondi's working years in Italy, where he was active in Rome and Bologna.
Impact
The clear layout and the emphasized rays of light around Christ give the print a calm yet narrative tone. The detailed style and precise linework create a dense, almost devotional atmosphere that captures the biblical moment with dignity.
Technique
Lines are incised into a copper plate and then printed—the engraving process. Raimondi used fine, exact lines for details such as garments and faces. The present second state shows the print in a later printing phase, in which the plate may have been reworked.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)