The Crucifixion

1511

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This is a drawing of a man being crucified with several onlookers. The central figure is depicted on a cross, with a sign marked "INRI" above his head. The figure is shown wearing a crown of thorns, with arms outstretched and nailed to the wooden beam. To the left, two robed figures stand with heads bowed. To the right, another robed figure stands, and behind him, a person in armor observes the scene. At the foot of the cross lies a skull. The drawing is rendered in intricate black and white linework, with detailed cross-hatching to give depth and texture. The overall composition is filled with emotional tension and dramatic detail.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to platemark): 11.8 × 7.6 cm (4 5/8 × 3 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3502

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 13

  • Series Title

    The Engraved Passion

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Brentano-Birckenstock Collection, Vienna and Frankfurt (Lugt 345); Arthur Friederich Theodor Bohnenberger [1826-1893], Stuttgart (Lugt 68); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1928; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1929

  • Engravings by Albrecht Durer from the collection of Lessing J. Rosenwald of Philadelphia, Baltimore Museum of Art, 1929, no. 2.

1971

  • Dürer in America: His Graphic Work, NGA, 1971, no. 50, repro.

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 1: no. 55.

Inscriptions

in plate, bottom left: 1511; in plate, bottom right: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 11 [upside down]; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: NR [?] 25146; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: B.13

Markings

none

Watermarks

Bull's Head (close to Meder 62 or 64)

Wikidata ID

Q18338461

You may be interested in

Loading Results