The Lamentation, from The Large Passion

The Lamentation, from The Large Passion by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a highly influential example of Northern Renaissance graphic art. Created between 1498 and 1499, this powerful religious scene is executed as a woodcut in black ink on fine ivory laid paper. The production of such large-scale, detailed images cemented Dürer’s reputation, demonstrating his revolutionary ability to elevate the woodcut medium from a common illustrative craft to a vehicle for profound artistic expression and dramatic storytelling.

This print belongs to Dürer's acclaimed series The Large Passion, a sequence designed to chronicle the central events of Christ’s suffering for a burgeoning market interested in devotional imagery. The scene depicts the solemn moment immediately following the Crucifixion, where Christ’s body is lowered and mourned by the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, and other grieving figures. Dürer's mastery lies in his precise manipulation of line and shadow; he uses the inherent stark contrasts of the woodcut to create a sense of three-dimensional volume and intense emotional pathos within the composition.

Working in Germany during the late 15th century, Dürer leveraged the reproductive power of prints to disseminate his complex theological and stylistic innovations widely. His systematic approach to the visual rendering of the Passion narrative defined the standards for future generations of graphic artists. The work underscores the significance of printed media in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of the era. This impressive impression of The Lamentation resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's comprehensive holding of important German Renaissance prints. As a major historical work, digital reproductions are often included in public domain collections for educational access.