Christ Crowned with Thorns

Lucas van Leyden

National Gallery of Art

This circular print depicts a group of people surrounding a seated man who has a beard and wears a long cloak and a crown of thorns over his long hair. Four people are arranged tightly around this central figure, each appearing to hit or stab him with pointed sticks or rods. There is another tight group of people on the left, and another group at the top of the print, looking down from a window above. In the background there is detailed architecture which suggests a setting within a building. Around the circular border of the composition, there are designs including elaborate foliage, cherubs, flowers, and scrolls.