The Man of Sorrows

The print The Man of Sorrows, created by Albrecht Dürer in 1515, represents a powerful devotional image focused on the suffering Christ. This significant work is an etching on iron, classified as the first state of three, highlighting Dürer’s experimentation with new media during the Northern Renaissance. While the artist was already renowned for his meticulous copperplate engravings and woodcuts, his venture into etching using corrosive acid allowed for a different expressive quality in the lines, showcasing his technical versatility.

The subject directly addresses the Imago pietatis, or Man of Sorrows, a common motif in Northern European art where Christ is shown bearing the instruments and wounds of the Passion. Dürer depicts Christ crowned with thorns and stripped of his garments, yet presented in a reflective, melancholic pose rather than one of active physical agony. This intimate depiction emphasizes the profoundly human and deeply personal aspect of Christ’s sacrifice, making the image highly resonant for private religious contemplation and fostering intense piety among viewers.

The technical skill demonstrated in this piece firmly establishes Dürer among the great printmakers of his era. Produced during a period of intense artistic and religious change, this fragile print remains a key example of the master’s innovative printmaking output. It is held within the extensive collection of graphic arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. High-resolution digital files and detailed prints of this Dürer masterwork are often made available to researchers and the public through the institution's public domain initiatives, ensuring its continued study and accessibility.