The Descent from the Cross
1513
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1513
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Descent from the Cross is a 1513 ink by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a chaotic scene of people carrying a large, draped body down from a cross. The figures are twisted and muscular, their faces tense with effort. Rocks and trees fill the background, and a few smaller people kneel below, watching. The artist used sharp lines to show movement and emotion, even without color. This kind of print was made by carving wood and inking it—a method that spread images quickly. Next, look up woodcut to see how this technique works.
