The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ on the Cross
1515
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1515
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ on the Cross is a 1515 by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a dramatic scene of Jesus on a cross, arms spread wide. Below him, a group of people—some kneeling, some reaching up—crowd around, their clothes and faces carved with sharp lines. To the left, a bare tree stands tall, while in the background, a small building and a hill roll into the distance. The print’s rough, textured lines make the figures look urgent and emotional. The artist used deep shadows and bold outlines to create a sense of movement and weight. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow like this.
