The Crucifixion (Round) (copy)

The engraving, titled The Crucifixion (Round) (copy) by Albrecht Dürer, captures the profound sorrow of the central narrative of Christian history. Produced sometime between 1485 and 1600, this detailed work exists as a print, demonstrating the growing importance and technical capability of Northern Renaissance printmaking. While the original design is attributed to Dürer, this specific impression is designated as a later copy, possibly executed by a member of his workshop or a contemporary follower seeking to reproduce Dürer’s highly sought-after compositions.

Executed in a demanding circular format (a tondo), the composition centers on Christ crucified, starkly outlined against a barren landscape. The precision inherent in the engraving medium allows Dürer’s influence to be seen in the rendering of intense suffering and meticulous detail required for devotional images of this period. Directly below the cross, the figures of the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene anchor the scene, conveying immense sadness and grief. The intensity of their emotion contrasts with the stoic power of Christ. This concentration of figures within the small circular frame focuses the viewer’s attention entirely on the somber event of the Crucifixion.

The widespread creation of prints such as this indicates the immense influence Dürer held over European visual culture in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His ability to disseminate his designs through detailed engravings made him a transformative figure for subsequent generations of artists. This particular print is part of the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a key example of devotional art from the era. As many of Dürer’s foundational prints are now entering the public domain, they continue to serve as essential resources for the study of Northern European masterworks.