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Christ on the Cross

German 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a crucifixion scene. It features a central wooden cross with a man's figure nailed to it, wearing a crown of thorns and a cloth around his waist. Above the man's head is a plaque with the inscription "INRI." Two other figures with ornate halos stand on either side of the cross. One figure appears to be grieving with bowed head and clasped hands, while the other looks upward. The background includes flora patches, and there are symbolic illustrations in elaborate frames in the image's corners. The style is characteristic of medieval or early Renaissance religious art, focusing on line work and a limited color palette.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1485
Medium
woodcut, hand-colored in brown, tan, ochre, olive,and red on laid paper
Dimensions
3064 × 4769 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette