The Crucifixion, from "The Small Passion"

The Crucifixion, from "The Small Passion" is a celebrated woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1509. This piece belongs to the monumental cycle of thirty-six prints known as The Small Passion, a key project for the artist that significantly influenced Northern Renaissance religious imagery. Executed during the height of the German Renaissance, the work demonstrates Dürer’s sophisticated handling of the print medium, allowing for the wide dissemination of complex theological narratives.

The composition focuses intensely on the climactic moment of the Crucifixion, achieving a powerful sense of drama within the small frame. Christ hangs centrally on the cross, his form delicately rendered yet powerfully defined by the crisp black lines inherent to the woodcut technique. Below, Dürer masterfully depicts the collective grief of the onlookers. The Women surrounding the base of the cross express palpable sorrow, while other supporting Men observe the event with solemn intensity. Dürer utilizes deep contrast and meticulous crosshatching to give volume and texture to the figures, elevating the visual richness of the woodcut medium far beyond typical graphic productions of the era.

Dürer’s technical prowess transformed the market for religious prints, making sacred history accessible to a broader lay audience. This exceptional print is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a prime example of the artistic innovations that cemented Dürer's legacy as a preeminent master of the graphic arts.