Who painted The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives?

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1510.

Where can I see The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives?

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives?

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives

Albrecht Dürer , 1510

The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1962.390
Credit line: In memory of William J. Collins

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer's The Small Passion: Christ on the Mount of Olives (1510) is a woodcut from a series illustrating key moments in the Passion of Christ. It is now held in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a biblical scene where Christ kneels in prayer on the Mount of Olives, flanked by three sleeping disciples. An angel in the background holds a cross, foreshadowing Christ's crucifixion. The composition contrasts Christ's devotion with the disciples' obliviousness.

Technique & Style

Characterized by Dürer's meticulous woodcut technique, the work features intricate lines, nuanced shading, and strategic use of light and shadow to evoke depth and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1510, this woodcut exemplifies Dürer's renowned printmaking skills, which earned him widespread European recognition. Its current location is the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

Part of Dürer's Small Passion series, this work reflects the Renaissance emphasis on detailed, emotionally charged representations of religious themes.

Legacy

As a seminal work by a leading German Renaissance artist, it influences the broader tradition of Passion narratives in European art, embodying Dürer's technical and expressive innovations.