Man of Sorrows with Arms Outstretched

The Man of Sorrows with Arms Outstretched by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1500, is a masterful example of the German Renaissance artist’s exceptional skill in engraving. This precise printmaking medium allowed Dürer to achieve remarkable detail and texture, evident in the finely rendered waves of Christ’s hair and the meticulous delineation of his anatomy. The subject presents Christ as the Man of Sorrows (Imago Pietatis), an iconic representation emphasizing his suffering between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Christ is shown standing nude except for the loincloth, displaying the wounds of the Passion, particularly the stigmata on his hands as he dramatically extends his arms in a powerful, symmetrical pose.

The production of high-quality prints was central to Dürer’s successful business model, establishing his international reputation and allowing for the wide dissemination of his profound religious imagery throughout Europe. Created precisely at the transition into the sixteenth century, the piece reflects Dürer’s deep engagement with both Northern European spirituality and the emerging anatomical rigor derived from classical art and the Italian Renaissance. Dürer’s innovative approach helped elevate engraving from a mere craft to a recognized high art form. The emotional intensity conveyed in this image of Christ, coupled with the technical mastery of the line work, makes the Man of Sorrows with Arms Outstretched one of Dürer’s most enduring religious prints. This iconic work is housed within the comprehensive collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where such significant prints are often categorized for public domain use.