Sudarium Held by Two Angels

The powerful engraving Sudarium Held by Two Angels was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1513. This work exemplifies the artist’s unparalleled technical control over the burin, establishing him as the preeminent master of German Renaissance prints. Produced during a period when Dürer was intensively exploring the iconography of Christ’s suffering, this devotional piece focuses intensely on the Sudarium, the legendary cloth imprinted with the Vera Icon, or true image, of the Savior's face.

The composition is symmetrically organized around the Veil of Veronica, which depicts the recognizable, thorn-crowned visage of Christ immediately following the Crucifixion. Two mournful Angels, rendered with deep emotional gravity, flank and support the cloth, acting as sorrowful witnesses to the Passion. Dürer’s detailed handling of light and shadow, typical of his mature period, lends the work a palpable sense of spiritual weight, underscoring the intensity of the moment. The precise lines and deep blacks achieved through the engraving process emphasize the spiritual drama contained within the sacred relic, reflecting the period's focus on personal piety and meditation on the sacrifices made by Christ.

This piece belongs to a key body of devotional works Dürer executed around 1513, demonstrating his ability to infuse technical brilliance with profound religious meaning. Its enduring clarity and powerful symbolic content cement its reputation as one of the most widely recognized images of the Man of Sorrows from the Northern Renaissance. Today, this significant early 16th-century print is housed within the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many important prints created by Dürer remain widely studied and accessible today, ensuring the enduring public domain legacy of this masterwork.