The Bearing of the Cross, from The Large Passion

The Bearing of the Cross, from The Large Passion by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a monumental work of early German printmaking, executed as a woodcut in black ink on fine ivory laid paper. Created between 1498 and 1499, this print belongs to Dürer’s celebrated series, The Large Passion, which fundamentally redefined the technical and expressive possibilities of the woodcut medium.

Dürer transformed the traditional woodcut, previously used for simpler devotional images, into a highly sophisticated vehicle capable of conveying complex narratives and dramatic movement. The composition illustrates the agonizing journey of Christ along the Via Dolorosa, burdened by the cross and surrounded by a tumultuous crowd of Roman soldiers, executioners, and agitated citizens. The artist’s innovative use of line and dense cross-hatching lends remarkable texture and depth, successfully translating the detailed pictorial language of the Southern Renaissance into a powerful graphic style.

This work highlights Dürer’s central role in the German Renaissance, establishing him as one of the preeminent masters of prints in Europe. Working primarily from Nuremberg, Dürer ensured that high-quality, reproducible works like this one reached a vast audience, dramatically increasing the international circulation of German art. The dynamic energy and emotional intensity captured in the scene remain characteristic of Dürer’s dramatic approach to religious subject matter. This significant example of German printmaking resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and as a historical artwork, high-quality images and prints are often made available through public domain resources.