The Lamentation, from "The Passion"

The Lamentation, from "The Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, is a remarkable example of Northern Renaissance printmaking executed around 1507. This highly detailed work is an engraving, demonstrating Dürer's exceptional command over the burin, the primary tool used to incise lines onto the copper plate. Created early in the 16th century, the print belongs to Dürer's prolific output of devotional prints designed for widespread circulation, which helped cement his status as a master graphic artist across Europe.

The subject matter, The Lamentation, depicts the moment following the Deposition, where Christ's body is mourned by his closest followers before his entombment. Dürer focuses on intense, classical emotionality, centering the dead Christ supported by the Virgin Mary, whose sorrow is palpable. Supporting figures, including Mary Magdalene and St. John the Evangelist, provide essential symmetry and reinforce the scene's pathos. The precise cross-hatching and deep contrast typical of Dürer’s engraving style enhance the dramatic realism of the composition, setting a technical benchmark for German print artists of the era.

This influential engraving currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Dürer’s mastery of the medium allowed complex religious narratives to reach a broad audience, distinguishing his career from that of his Italian contemporaries. The quality of line and emotional depth shown in this piece ensures its continued study by scholars. As with many important works from this period, high-quality images of this print are often available today through public domain initiatives, ensuring global access to Dürer's profound religious compositions.