Christ before Herod, from the Passion
Original title: Christ before Herod, from the Passion
kurzbeschreibung
This woodcut comes from Lucas Cranach the Elder's Passion cycle 'The Suffering of Our Lord' (created between 1492 and 1553). Christ is presented to the Roman governor Herod, surrounded by armed men, while a heavenly sphere appears at the top edge.
Description
Barefoot and in a simple robe, Christ stands at the centre, framed left and right by soldiers with weapons. To the left sits an armoured figure, likely Herod, opposite further armed men. Above the group, angels and foliage can be made out, pointing to a divine realm. A semi-circular frame encloses the action, bordered by a band of text reading 'The Suffering of Our Lord'. The layout feels balanced, with Christ as the pivot; delicate linework and graded greys structure the areas.
Context
The Passion cycle was made in the first half of the 16th century, during a period of profound religious change in Germany. The woodcuts were intended to illustrate the story of Christ's suffering and were aimed at a broad audience. In this, Cranach continues the late medieval tradition of Passion cycles, which gained renewed attention during the Reformation.
Impact
The contrast between the calmly standing Christ and the armoured soldiers creates tension, which the clear arrangement heightens. Light falls from the upper left, lifting the drama and drawing attention to the central action.
Technique
For printing, the motif was cut into a wooden block and transferred to paper with printing ink. Hatching and fine lines produce various shades of grey that bring out shadows and surfaces. The sheet measures 28 × 18 cm, the actual image area 25.6 × 16.8 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)