Small Woodcut Passion

Original title: Small Woodcut Passion

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Date

1509–10

Medium

Hand-colored woodcuts loose in red book binding

Dimensions

Dimensions vary

Credit line

The George Khuner Collection, Gift of Mrs. George Khuner, 1975

kurzbeschreibung

Albrecht Dürer's Small Woodcut Passion, dating from 1509–10, is a series of hand-colored woodcuts depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. This particular print shows Christ falling under the weight of the cross, surrounded by a crowd of figures. The work is part of a set bound in a red leather book.

Description

In the foreground, Christ lies beneath the cross, his body angled as he struggles to rise. A group of figures surrounds him, some in medieval attire and head coverings, others bearing lances and shields. The background features buildings and a castle, suggesting an urban or rural setting. The colors are vivid, ranging from red and yellow to blue and green, applied with a steady hand. The composition is dense, with little empty space, and the linework remains crisp despite the hand coloring.

Context

Dürer created the Small Woodcut Passion as a series of 37 prints, intended for a broad audience. The hand-colored version here reflects the practice of adding color to prints to increase their appeal and devotional value. The series was produced in Nuremberg, a major center for printmaking, and reflects Dürer's interest in making religious art accessible. The red binding suggests the prints were gathered into a devotional book for personal use.

Impact

The hand coloring gives the print a lively, almost manuscript-like quality, drawing the eye to the central figure of Christ. The vivid hues contrast with the darker narrative, creating a sense of immediacy and emotional engagement. The detailed linework and balanced composition convey both the physical strain of the scene and its spiritual significance.

Technique

This is a woodcut, a relief printing technique where the image is carved into a wooden block, inked, and pressed onto paper. The print was then hand-colored with water-based pigments, a common practice in the early 16th century. The strong contours and clear tonal separation are typical of Dürer's mastery of the medium.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public domain (CC0)