Section G: Martyrs Holding Palm Branches, from 'The Triumph of Christ'
Original title: Section G: Martyrs Holding Palm Branches, from "The Triumph of Christ"
kurzbeschreibung
Palm fronds held aloft identify the martyrs in this 1836 lithograph by Andrea Andreani, which reproduces a woodcut from Albrecht Dürer's cycle 'The Triumph of Christ.' The procession gathers the figures into a group where the palms serve as signs of victory.
Description
A man carries a child on his back; several figures wear feather-trimmed headpieces that suggest military or courtly affiliation. Such details fit into a dense, symmetrically ordered group of people holding palm branches. Traditional garments point to a historical era. The sheet is monochrome black and white, with even light that avoids strong shadows.
Context
Andrea Andreani created this lithograph as a reproduction of a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer made in the early 16th century. Dürer's 'Triumph of Christ' belonged to a larger cycle themed on Christ's triumphal procession. The 1836 print falls in a period when reproductions of old masters were in demand, and it documents Dürer's reception in the 19th century.
Impact
The crowded figure group and symmetrical arrangement evoke a solemn, processional mood. Because color is absent, attention turns to the detailed garments and gestures, which radiate a calm dignity.
Technique
The sheet was produced by lithography, in which greasy chalk is applied to a limestone and then printed. The source is a woodcut, which explains the precise lines and fine detail. The sheet measures 39.2 × 34.7 cm and is executed in black and white.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)