Deposition of Christ, from The Large Passion

Deposition of Christ, from The Large Passion is a seminal woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, between 1496 and 1497. Executed in black ink on cream laid paper, this print is one of the foundational images from Dürer's monumental series illustrating the suffering and death of Christ. Produced relatively early in the artist’s career, the image demonstrates the profound complexity and tonal richness Dürer brought to the traditional German medium of the woodcut. Unlike earlier, simpler graphic works, the intricate cross-hatching and sophisticated linear control employed by Dürer establish a compelling sense of three-dimensionality and emotional weight necessary for the dramatic subject.

The solemn scene focuses intensely on the gravity of the moment as Christ’s lifeless body is lowered from the cross, supported by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The supporting figures, including the deeply grieving Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, are rendered with palpable anguish, characteristic of depictions of the Passion cycle common in Northern European art.

This work was pivotal in elevating prints to the status of high art during the burgeoning Renaissance in Germany. Dürer’s technical mastery of the woodblock allowed mass-produced prints, such as this piece, to rival detailed paintings in narrative quality, making profound religious narratives accessible to a much broader audience than ever before. This powerful impression, classified as a German print from the late 15th century, resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution images of Dürer’s work are commonly available in the public domain for study.