The Deposition of Christ, from The Large Passion

The Deposition of Christ, from The Large Passion by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a pivotal example of late 15th-century printmaking, demonstrating the artist’s revolutionary approach to the woodcut medium. Created between 1496 and 1497, this powerful composition forms part of Dürer's ambitious series, The Large Passion, a comprehensive cycle illustrating the narrative of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. The medium, a woodcut in black ink on ivory laid paper, emphasizes the stark drama inherent in the scene.

The composition depicts the somber moment when Christ's body is lowered from the cross, surrounded by figures consumed by grief, including the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, and Joseph of Arimathea. The concentration of figures and the intense emotional weight of the scene are characteristic of Dürer’s early mature style. Unlike many of his contemporaries whose German prints were often rudimentary in design, Dürer employed a sophisticated technique, utilizing complex linear systems, hatching, and cross-hatching to create nuanced shading and texture. This technical mastery achieved painterly effects and elevated the status of the woodcut from a simple illustrative tool to a serious fine art form.

This work marks a crucial moment in the history of German art, as Dürer successfully merges the dramatic intensity of Northern European gothic tradition with the classical proportion and anatomical understanding emerging from the Italian Renaissance. The work is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its historical importance and accessibility ensure its continued appreciation; as a pre-1929 work, reproductions of this iconic piece are frequently found within the public domain, benefiting scholars and enthusiasts seeking high-quality images of Dürer’s influential prints.