Man of Sorrows, from "The Passion"

Man of Sorrows, from "The Passion" is an intensely detailed engraving created by Albrecht Dürer in 1509. This print belongs to a renowned series by the German master illustrating the Passion of Christ, executed entirely in the challenging medium of engraving. Dürer's masterful use of the burin defines the Northern Renaissance approach to printmaking, showcasing his innovative approach to creating independent, highly refined works of art accessible to a wider European audience. The compact scale of the image belies the density of detail achieved through meticulous cross-hatching and varied line weight, hallmarks of his exceptional technical control.

The central subject is Christ, depicted as the Vir dolorum or Man of Sorrows, emphasizing his profound suffering immediately following the Crucifixion. Unlike earlier depictions, this work focuses intensely on the emotional and physical agony, a popular devotional theme in the early 16th century. Dürer presents Christ amidst various surrounding figures-both men and women-who either mourn or interact with him, underscoring the deep human response to the events of the Passion. The work expertly handles the depiction of human anatomy and emotional turmoil, highlighting the artist's expertise in rendering dramatic subject matter.

As one of the most influential prints of its time, the technical brilliance of this work solidified Dürer’s international reputation. Today, this important piece, sometimes referred to internally as the Man of Sorrows, resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical significance and age, the underlying image is highly studied by researchers and is frequently found among public domain art collections, ensuring its accessibility and continued global relevance.