The Entombment

The Entombment by Albrecht Dürer is a profound woodcut print executed during the crucial period of the Northern Renaissance, dated roughly between 1485 and 1528. This pivotal work showcases Dürer’s revolutionary approach to printmaking, demonstrating how the medium could achieve the emotional depth and complexity previously reserved for painting or drawing. As a master engraver, Dürer transformed the simple woodcut technique into a sophisticated vehicle for religious narrative, ensuring that his influential images were widely disseminated across Europe.

The subject captures the somber moment following the Crucifixion, focusing on the deposition of Christ’s body into the rock-hewn tomb. The composition is intensely dramatic, centered around the grieving figures. The raw emotion of sadness is palpable, particularly in the distressed portrayal of the Virgin Mary, whose presence anchors the scene of profound loss. Other mourners, including Mary Magdalene, frame the central figure of Christ, conveying a sense of communal sorrow and devotion typical of early modern religious imagery.

Dürer’s commitment to making his art accessible through readily reproducible prints contributed significantly to his fame. The meticulous detail and expressive realism evident in this particular woodcut highlight his technical mastery of the medium. Today, this important piece is held in the comprehensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a key example of German Renaissance graphic arts. Works like this, widely reproduced as influential prints during and after Dürer’s lifetime, are often found circulating today through public domain archives, underscoring their historical impact and enduring theological appeal.