Christ Nailed to the Cross

probably c. 1509/1510

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This is a drawing of a historical and religious scene of a crucifixion. The scene features several figures in various poses surrounding a man being nailed to a cross, who lies in the foreground. The figures wear clothing typical of medieval or renaissance eras, and some appear to be soldiers with helmets and spears. In the background, more figures are engaged in different activities. The woodcut-style etching provides a high contrast black and white image, showcasing a dense composition filled with action and emotion. The artist has used strong lines and detailed shading to convey textures of the fabric, musculature, and the environment.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to block): 12.8 × 9.8 cm (5 1/16 × 3 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3655

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 148

  • Series Title

    The Small Woodcut Passion

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joseph Daniel Böhm [1794-1865], Vienna (Lugt 271); Robert Scholtz [1834-1912], Budapest (Lugt 2241); (William Schab, New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1940; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1956

  • The Life of Christ in Prints, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1956-1957, no cat.

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. 2: no. 209.

Inscriptions

in block, bottom right, on ground: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: 627; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: B 39; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: 24

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q18338688

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