Christ on the Mount of Olives, from "The Passion"

Christ on the Mount of Olives, from "The Passion" is a seminal engraving executed by German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1508. This extraordinary print belongs to Dürer’s larger serialized narrative, illustrating the final moments of Christ’s suffering and subsequent resurrection. Created during the height of the Northern Renaissance, the work showcases Dürer’s mastery of the copperplate engraving technique, allowing him to achieve unparalleled precision and profound emotional depth in a small format.

The dramatic scene captures the Agony in the Garden, where Christ kneels in solitary prayer amidst a rocky, dense setting, accepting his fate. Above him, an angel descends, providing solace and bearing the instruments of the Passion. Dürer skillfully contrasts the spiritual intensity of Christ with the earthly reality of his followers: the three Apostles, key figures among the "Men" depicted, lie heavily asleep in the lower foreground, oblivious to their Lord’s distress. The intricate network of lines, characteristic of Dürer’s prints, creates varied textures and manages the dramatic play of light and shadow, enhancing the somber, nocturnal mood.

As one of the foundational prints created by Dürer in the early 16th century, this image exemplifies his revolutionary approach to composition and detail, cementing his influence throughout Europe and ensuring the wide circulation of his profound biblical interpretations. This powerful example of Northern Renaissance engraving is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains a crucial reference for the study of graphic arts history.