The Crucifixion (Round) (copy) by Albrecht Dürer is an exemplary illustration of the meticulous skill required for Renaissance engraving, a specialized print medium that allowed for intricate detail and wide dissemination of artistic concepts. Created sometime between 1485 and 1600, this impression is derived from an original design by Dürer, the foundational master of German graphic arts, whose technical innovations revolutionized the field of printmaking.
The roundel, or tondo, format used for this piece creates a focused, intense composition centered on the pathos of the narrative. The image features Christ upon the Cross, flanked by necessary mourning figures, including the Virgin Mary, whose distress emphasizes the deeply devotional purpose of the work. The precision of the line work, typical of Dürer’s style, transforms the metal plate into a canvas for subtle shading and clear delineation of form, even in this secondary iteration.
Prints like this engraving were crucial during the period, providing affordable and transportable religious imagery throughout the German-speaking world and beyond. The enduring impact of Dürer’s compositions ensured that his sacred designs, even in the form of copies, remained central to Christian iconography for centuries. This valuable work, categorized as a print, offers insight into the transmission of Renaissance artistic ideals and currently resides in the respected collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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