Crucifixion, from The Engraved Passion

Crucifixion, from The Engraved Passion is a seminal print by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), completed in 1511. This highly detailed composition was executed as an engraving in black ink on ivory laid paper, showcasing the artist’s unparalleled command over the burin. Dürer’s technical brilliance is evident in the microscopic precision of the line work, which allowed him to translate the monumental emotional weight of the subject matter onto the small surface of the copper plate. The print belongs to a renowned series known as The Engraved Passion, which Dürer produced to meet the growing demands of the early 16th-century market for private devotional imagery throughout Germany.

The scene depicts the central figures at Golgotha, rendered with powerful dramatic contrast achieved through Dürer’s signature mastery of chiaroscuro in the difficult medium of engraving. Unlike woodcuts, this method of printmaking allowed the artist to achieve an almost painterly quality, defining musculature and cloth with incredible sensitivity through controlled cross-hatching and varied line weights.

The widespread availability of such prints during the Reformation era solidified Dürer’s reputation across Europe and profoundly influenced the development of graphic arts. This exceptional impression of Crucifixion, from The Engraved Passion is held within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it stands as a testament to the sophistication of Northern European Renaissance printmaking. As a foundational work of this period, the image, like many important Dürer prints, is often available in the public domain for scholarly study and educational use.