Man of Sorrows, from "The Passion"

Man of Sorrows, from "The Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1509, is a profound and emotionally resonant example of German Renaissance printmaking. Executed as a copperplate engraving, this medium allowed Dürer to achieve extraordinary precision and depth through meticulous lines cut into the metal plate. This work belongs to the larger series known as the Engraved Passion, which, unlike monumental altarpieces, offered portable and affordable religious imagery that profoundly influenced devotion across 16th-century Europe.

The central figure of Christ, the Man of Sorrows, stands before the viewer, displaying the wounds of the crucifixion and surrounded by the Arma Christi, or instruments of the Passion. The profound sense of sadness in Christ’s weary expression is amplified by the implied presence of mourners, often identified as the holy Women who grieved at the foot of the cross, emphasizing the personal cost of the sacrifice. Dürer’s technical mastery as an engraver is strikingly evident in the subtle variations of tone and texture, achieved solely through controlled crosshatching and line work, defining the drapery and musculature with intense realism.

This piece underscores Dürer’s pivotal role in popularizing narrative religious art through mass-producible prints. The accessibility of such works extended the influence of his style far beyond Nuremberg. This historically significant work is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As a cornerstone of the history of graphic arts, high-quality copies of this pivotal Dürer engraving are frequently made available in the public domain, allowing continued study and appreciation of the artist’s unparalleled command of the print medium.