The Lamentation (n.d.)
Original title: The Lamentation
kurzbeschreibung
Grief over the crucified Christ: Albrecht Dürer's woodcut The Lamentation presents this biblical scene. Mary and other figures stand around the dead Jesus. When the sheet was made is not recorded. It is executed as a woodcut.
Description
Jesus lies stretched out on the ground, surrounded by mourning figures that include his mother Mary. The clothing of the figures follows Renaissance fashion. Trees and a landscape with buildings stagger the rear area and create a calm mood. The layout is symmetrical, with Christ as the focal point. There is no color, only black and white, as is usual in a woodcut; the light is evenly distributed, without harsh shadows or highlights.
Context
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), painter and printmaker of the Renaissance, became known throughout Europe for his woodcuts and engravings. The Lamentation of Christ is one of the widespread themes of Christian art and deals with sorrow over the dead Jesus. Dürer left behind many religious works that circulated in Germany and beyond. A precise date for the woodcut is missing, but it likely originated in Dürer's mature creative years.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and the calm landscape in the rear give the sheet balance and a solemn quality. Because the light falls evenly and only black and white are used, a clear, contemplative mood emerges. The many details in the lines and the careful drawing of the figures reveal Dürer's graphic signature.
Technique
The monochrome impression on paper measures 38.9 x 28.3 cm, its even, shadowless tones determined by the lines of the printing matrix. The precise, detail-rich linework characteristic of Dürer's graphic works gives the Lamentation its clear contours and balanced composition.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)