Calvary
Albrecht Dürer · c. 1503–04 · Art Institute of Chicago
Guide
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From the museum
Albrecht Dürer described this deceptively simple image of Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion as one of his “schlechtes Holzwerk,” his “plain” or “homely woodcuts.” Yet the number of figures represented, the receding landscape, and the pathos embodied by the swooning Virgin Mary and the kneeling Mary Magdalene exceed the artist’s own modest assessment of the work. In comparison with earlier woodcuts, especially the quickly produced book illustrations undertaken in Wolgemut’s workshop, the woodblock must have been cut particularly closely to the artist’s own design. While busier than Dürer’s monumental Passion woodcuts from the same period, this moving woodcut hints at the artist’s past and future.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
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Details
- Maker
- Albrecht Dürer, German, 1471-1528
- Date
- c. 1503–04
- Medium
- Woodcut in black on ivory laid paper
- Dimensions
- 21.9 × 15 cm (8 5/8 × 5 15/16 in.)
- Place of origin
- Germany
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · Not on view
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. C. Phillip Miller
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
