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 powerful woodcut executed between 1498 and 1499. This print is one of twelve illustrations that comprise the highly influential series known as The Large Passion. Dürer’s choice of the woodcut medium, utilizing black ink on ivory laid paper, allowed for dramatic contrast and widespread dissemination of his religious imagery throughout Germany at the turn of the 16th century.

The scene depicts Christ staggering under the immense weight of the cross as he is surrounded by Roman soldiers and jeering onlookers, illustrating the arduous journey along the Via Dolorosa. Dürer’s handling of the wood block revolutionized the woodcut technique, moving beyond the simpler block prints of previous generations. He achieved an unprecedented level of detail and textural complexity, rendering the chaotic movement of the crowd and the intense emotional strain of the central figure with remarkable precision.

As a crucial example of early modern German prints, this work highlights the artist’s sophisticated technical mastery and signature style. The sheer scale and ambition of The Bearing of the Cross solidified Dürer’s reputation as the foremost graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance. The complexity of the composition, characteristic of the artist’s output during this period, anticipates the dynamism of later Baroque works. While originally created for a contemporary religious audience, the availability of these seminal masterworks in the public domain ensures their continued study and appreciation. This significant historical artifact remains preserved in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.