The Lamentation, from "The Small Passion"

The Lamentation, from "The Small Passion," is a powerful woodcut created by the celebrated German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer between 1509 and 1510. This print is one plate from the thirty-six part series detailing the life, Passion, and resurrection of Christ. Dürer’s masterful handling of the woodcut medium transformed the perception of prints from simple reproductions to complex, highly detailed art forms designed for contemplation.

The scene depicts the traditional Lamentation moment following the Deposition, where a group of deeply sorrowful Women and Men mourn over the body of Christ. The composition focuses intimately on the figures, utilizing the limited space to heighten the emotional intensity. Dürer emphasizes intense realism, utilizing sharp lines and dramatic contrasts characteristic of Northern Renaissance printmaking to evoke profound pathos in the viewer, particularly highlighting the grief of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she cradles her dead son. The remarkable precision required for achieving such detail and atmosphere in a woodcut further solidifies Dürer's reputation as the foremost graphic artist of his era.

As part of "The Small Passion" series, this work was widely disseminated across Europe, contributing significantly to Dürer’s international fame and making the visual narrative instantly recognizable. Many high-quality prints from this influential series remain accessible today, sometimes residing in the public domain. This particular impression of The Lamentation is housed in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it serves as a prime example of the German master’s profound influence on graphic output.