Christ Crowned with Thorns, from The Engraved Passion

Christ Crowned with Thorns, from The Engraved Passion is a pivotal work by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, dated 1512. This profound image of suffering is realized through the demanding medium of engraving in black on ivory laid paper. As the leading master of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer utilized sophisticated linework to transform the medium of the print from a simple illustrative tool into a major artistic force, capable of conveying intense dramatic and spiritual depth.

The composition focuses intently on the physical and emotional abuse inflicted upon Christ during the Ecce Homo narrative. Dürer masterfully uses highly controlled burin work to render the detailed textures of the thorny crown, the knotted ropes binding Christ's hands, and the rough features of the tormentors surrounding him. This precise, dramatic technique is characteristic of the finest 16th-century prints, providing both visual clarity and deep emotional intensity, key features that appealed directly to the devotional practices prevalent in Germany at the time.

This powerful series, The Engraved Passion, became one of the most widely circulated collections of devotional images across Europe, showcasing Dürer’s technical brilliance and his profound understanding of human expression. The small scale of the engraving belies the complexity of the execution, confirming the artist's reputation as a visionary printmaker. This particular impression of the work is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Because of its age and cultural significance, the work is now available in the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts access to high-resolution images for educational study and the creation of subsequent prints.