Christ's Entry into Jerusalem

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer around 1509-1510, stands as a premier example of graphic arts from the early sixteenth century. This powerful biblical scene is rendered as a detailed woodcut on laid paper, a medium Dürer highly advanced through his rigorous application of line and contrast. The woodcut technique, favored in Northern Europe, allowed for the rapid and widespread dissemination of religious imagery, fundamentally changing how sacred narratives reached the populace during this critical period.

Produced during a highly prolific phase of the artist’s career, this work reflects the intense artistic activity of the German cultural sphere between 1501 to 1550. Dürer was instrumental in blending the theoretical rigor of Italian Renaissance art with the Northern tradition’s meticulous attention to expressive detail and texture. In this piece, Dürer employs precise hatching and varied line thicknesses to create a sense of three-dimensionality and dynamic motion within the compressed format of the print.

The subject illustrates the climactic moment described in the Gospels when Christ enters Jerusalem, received by jubilant crowds who lay palms and garments before him in homage. Dürer conveys the dramatic narrative through a crowded composition, emphasizing the awe of the witnesses and the humility of Christ, who rides upon a donkey. The expressive realism and technical complexity evident in Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem solidify Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent printmaker of his time.

As a significant example of early 16th-century graphic art, the quality of this impression attests to the importance and popularity of Dürer’s artistic output. This historical work is preserved in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Because of its age and canonical status, fine prints derived from this influential masterwork are often considered to be in the public domain, ensuring its continued study and appreciation by scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.