The Man of Sorrows

The Man of Sorrows by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1515, is a masterful and early example of the etching technique applied to an iron plate. Though already famed throughout Europe for his intricate woodcuts and copper engravings, Dürer embraced the nascent process of etching, which allowed for a fluid spontaneity in line work often more akin to drawing than to the rigid technique required by engraving. This particular print is cataloged as the second state of three, affording scholars a detailed view of the artist’s subtle adjustments to the composition and shading as the plate evolved during its printing run.

The subject matter draws from the devotional tradition of the Man of Sorrows, depicting Christ crowned with thorns and bearing the marks of the Passion. Dürer focuses intensely on the psychological anguish of Christ following his ordeal, capturing a moment of profound, internalized suffering. Unlike traditional narrative scenes of the Crucifixion, Dürer's figure serves as a direct point of focus for meditation, reflecting the deep personal piety characteristic of the German Renaissance era. The technical skill evidenced in the precise delineation of the figure and the texture of the garments underscores Dürer’s position as the leading printmaker of his time.

This powerful work of graphic art demonstrates Dürer’s continuous experimentation with medium and subject, solidifying his role in the history of prints. This exceptional impression of the etching is preserved within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the historical significance of works by Dürer, many of his original graphic studies, including impressions derived from his groundbreaking early prints, are frequently available for study through the public domain.