Christ Crowned with Thorns, from "The Small Passion"

Christ Crowned with Thorns, from "The Small Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, is a powerful example of Northern Renaissance printmaking executed around 1509. This detailed woodcut is one of 36 prints comprising Dürer's influential series dedicated to the life and Passion of Christ. Produced for a broad, lay audience, these smaller, highly portable works were critical in spreading visual piety and making complex biblical narratives accessible across Europe.

The scene captures the moment leading up to the Crucifixion, focusing intently on the suffering of the central figure. Dürer meticulously depicts Christ enduring the humiliation and physical agony inflicted by the men who surround him, emphasizing his bowed head and the rough application of the crown of thorns. The composition’s dramatic tension is enhanced by Dürer’s precise handling of the woodblock medium. Utilizing sharp, parallel lines and sophisticated cross-hatching, Dürer defined deep shadow, texture, and emotional depth, showcasing his technical mastery over graphic arts.

The creation and wide distribution of these high-quality prints solidified Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent graphic artist of his era. This specific impression of Christ Crowned with Thorns is housed in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Owing to their age and historical significance, many impressions of these devotional works by Dürer have today entered the public domain, ensuring global scholarly and artistic access to these seminal examples of early 16th-century German art.