Christus als Man van Smarten, zittend

Christus als Man van Smarten, zittend is a powerful print created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1515. Rendered on paper, this work exemplifies Dürer’s unparalleled technical mastery of printmaking, demonstrating his ability to convey profound emotion and detail through the rigorous use of line and tone. Although designated simply as a print, the precision and intricacy of the execution suggest the hand of the artist at the peak of his graphic output.

The subject matter, the Man of Sorrows, depicts the suffering Christ contemplative and alone following the events of the Passion. Christ is shown seated, perhaps leaning on a stone or bench, conveying the weight of his physical torment. This type of depiction was central to popular religious devotion during the 16th century, inviting viewers to meditate on Christ’s sacrifice and humanity. Dürer’s focus on the figure’s pensive expression and exhausted posture serves to emphasize the theological concept of the Imitatio Christi.

As one of the most celebrated artists of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer was instrumental in elevating printmaking from a functional craft to a respected form of high art. The sophisticated handling of light and shadow in this piece solidifies his reputation as the premier graphic artist in Germany during this period. Dated 1515, this print represents the maturity of the artist's style and his influential role in disseminating religious iconography across Europe. This historically significant work is currently housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, making the image widely available for scholarly study and public appreciation, often through high-quality public domain reproductions.