The Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand

Albrecht Dürer

National Gallery of Art

This is a print depicting various figures engaged in actions that suggest turmoil. In the background, on the left, is a tall hill covered with trees upon which some people appear to spear others. Some people fall off the hill on the right side, appearing to impale themselves on jagged branches on the ground below. On the far left, people with swords and whips seem to lead a group up the side of the hill. In the center, several people seem to be tied together around a tree. In the bottom left corner, more people appear to be in conversation, looking at the scene around them. The scene includes people in elaborate attire and varying kinds of headwear. The background on the right shows distant buildings and low hills, with birds flying in the clear sky.