Christ on the Cross with Mary and Saint John (second sheet of two)

The influential German Renaissance master, Albrecht Dürer, created the dramatic woodcut, Christ on the Cross with Mary and Saint John (second sheet of two), in 1510. As a leading printmaker of the era, Dürer was instrumental in elevating the woodcut medium, using complex linear systems and refined cross-hatching to achieve a volumetric depth and texture previously reserved for engraving. This work, produced during a highly prolific period, reflects the period's intense focus on devotional imagery and the narrative of the Passion of Christ, central themes in Northern European art during the early 16th century.

The composition powerfully focuses on the moment of the Crucifixion. The figure of Christ dominates the center, rendered with an anatomical precision typical of Dürer’s style following his exposure to Italian Renaissance ideals. Below the cross, the figures of the Virgin Mary and Saint John stand in poses of profound sorrow. Mary is depicted not in a state of collapse but bowed by grief, balanced by the youthful, introspective presence of Saint John, who appears to offer quiet contemplation to the suffering. Dürer’s masterful use of black and white defines the drama, relying on the contrast to articulate the taut musculature of Christ and the heavy drapery of the mourners.

Dürer’s dedication to producing high-quality prints allowed his complex religious and mythological imagery to be widely distributed across Europe, cementing his reputation internationally. The reproducibility of the medium meant such works quickly became accessible, and many historical impressions have since fallen into the public domain, influencing generations of artists. This exemplary impression of Christ on the Cross with Mary and Saint John resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing Dürer’s immense and enduring contribution to graphic arts.