The Entombment by Albrecht Dürer, executed in 1504, is a monumental German drawing rendered in pen and gray ink on laid paper. This highly finished work exemplifies the master’s technical proficiency during the critical historical period of 1501 to 1550, when Dürer was solidifying his reputation as the foremost Renaissance artist north of the Alps.
As a preliminary study or an independent piece, the drawing illustrates the deeply moving biblical scene following the Crucifixion, where the body of Christ is lowered into a sarcophagus, surrounded by grieving figures including the Virgin Mary and other devoted followers. Dürer focuses on the emotional intensity of the moment, defining the figures’ anguish through carefully observed gesture and dramatic physical positioning. The composition is dynamic yet balanced, reflecting the artist’s mastery of Renaissance geometric principles acquired during his travels to Italy.
The medium of pen and gray ink allowed Dürer to employ precise, rigorous lines and systematic cross-hatching to define form, texture, and deep shadow. This technique was essential for the artist, whose primary livelihood depended upon the creation of high-quality prints and engravings, making preparatory drawings like this indispensable. The density of the line work suggests that this piece was intended as more than a casual sketch, possibly serving as a model for workshops or later graphic reproductions.
This work combines Dürer’s inherent German realism, which emphasizes meticulous detail, with the idealized human form and compositional structure favored in the Italian Renaissance. The work is a foundational piece of Northern European draughtsmanship, bridging the late Gothic tradition with the burgeoning High Renaissance. Today, the drawing is held in the prestigious permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the age of the original work, high-resolution reproductions are frequently available in the public domain, allowing researchers and students worldwide access to study the technical brilliance of this pivotal German master.
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