Crucifixion, from "The Small Woodcut Passion"
Original title: Crucifixion, from "The Small Woodcut Passion"
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1509–10, Albrecht Dürer made the 'Crucifixion' as part of his 'Small Woodcut Passion'. In this hand-colored print, Christ's crucifixion appears with a multitude of figures in a symmetrical arrangement. The series ranks among the artist's significant printed works.
Description
Christ hangs at the center of the cross; a green band encircles his head, and his arms and feet are bloody. The body remains plain, without heavy detail. Long-robed figures in red, blue, and yellow stand around the cross, several with hands raised. The layout is symmetrical: Christ in the middle, the bystanders spread to either side. Light falls from above, highlighting the structure of the cross and the faces of those standing nearby.
Context
Created in Nuremberg between 1508 and 1510, the 'Small Woodcut Passion' comprises 37 sheets on Christ's suffering. It was intended as a popular book for a broad audience. Dürer used the woodcut to spread his artistic ideas in large editions. The coloring was likely added later in a workshop that painted the sheets.
Impact
Bold colors meet clear contours, making the scene immediate and popular in feel. Through the symmetrical arrangement and Christ's central position, the eye is drawn directly to the crucifixion event. Despite its simplicity, the image remains striking and emotional.
Technique
The scene is arranged on the sheet in a balanced, nearly symmetrical composition, with Christ at the center and the surrounding figures spreading outward to either side. Varying figure sizes create a clear hierarchy within the limited field, while the hand-coloring in red, blue, and yellow defines the robes and heightens the contrast against the lighter background. The sharp contours and flat areas of color work together to structure the image clearly across the page.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)