Man of Sorrows, Seated

The "Man of Sorrows, Seated" by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a significant example of Renaissance graphic arts, completed in 1515. This print is an etching in black on ivory laid paper. While Dürer is widely recognized for his masterful engravings and woodcuts, this work highlights his innovative adoption of etching, a relatively new printmaking technique in early 16th-century Germany. The medium, which uses acid to bite into the metal plate, allowed Dürer a greater fluidity and spontaneity of line than traditional engraving.

The subject matter depicts Christ after his scourging, seated and wearing the crown of thorns, a key representation of the Man of Sorrows motif used for private devotion. This powerful image captures the profound suffering of the figure, who is presented alone, burdened by his Passion. Dürer’s meticulous execution ensures that the small-scale composition retains immense physical and psychological intensity. Produced during a period of intense religious activity and social change, the ability of prints like this to distribute sacred imagery quickly and widely was crucial to the cultural life of the time. This seminal example of graphic art is housed within the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars and the general public an important view into the early history of the medium. The historical and artistic importance of this print often leads to its availability through public domain art initiatives.