The Crucifixion (1502)
Original title: The Crucifixion
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder made this woodcut, titled The Crucifixion, in 1502. It presents the crucifixion scene: Christ at the center, flanked by two other crucified figures, with soldiers below and a landscape in the distance.
Description
Christ hangs at the center of the cross, while two other crosses with figures stand to either side. Beneath him, several figures gather, including armored soldiers in various poses—some kneeling in prayer, others standing or sitting. A landscape with buildings and mountains closes off the background. The faces and musculature of the figures are carefully worked out; varying line weights and stroke patterns create the shading.
Context
In 1502 Cranach was working in Vienna and engaging with the printmaking of Dürer's era when this sheet was made. It counts among the artist's earliest known graphic works. The iconography of the Crucifixion is traditional, yet already shows Cranach's own distinctive touches.
Impact
The detailed execution and the calm, even distribution of light give the scene a solemn, devotional mood. Precise linework and careful arrangement create a clear, legible pictorial structure that invites contemplation of the Passion.
Technique
In a woodcut, the design is cut into a wooden block and then printed onto paper. Characteristic of this technique are its monochrome palette and shading through line patterns. The sheet measures 40.8 x 29.3 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)