The Crucifixion, from "The Large Passion"

The Crucifixion, from "The Large Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1511, stands as a seminal example of Northern Renaissance printmaking. This powerful image is part of Dürer's celebrated The Large Passion series, a sequence of highly detailed woodcuts detailing the life and suffering of Christ.

Executed in the demanding medium of woodcut, the piece demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled technical skill in managing light and shadow to create dramatic effect. The scene centers on Christ mounted upon the Cross, surrounded by a tumultuous arrangement of figures and mourners, emphasizing the moment's emotional intensity. Above the sorrowful assembly, sorrowful angels float in the sky, collecting the blood and symbolizing the divine sacrifice. Unlike many contemporary woodcuts, Dürer achieved a richness and complexity usually reserved for engraving, elevating the artistic status of the print medium itself. This precision allowed him to convey both the physical agony of the Crucifixion and the profound theological significance of the event.

As the leading figure of the German Renaissance, Dürer utilized the reproducibility of prints to disseminate his spiritual visions widely across Europe, helping make works such as The Crucifixion some of the most influential images of the era. The detailed execution and widespread circulation meant that these prints became common reference points for religious devotion and artistic study. This impression is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a vital example of Dürer’s mastery. Because many of Dürer's foundational religious prints are now in the public domain, the legacy of this 16th-century master continues to inspire artists and scholars worldwide.