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The Bearing of the Cross

Andrea Andreani

1584

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

The Bearing of the Cross is a 1584 ink by Andrea Andreani, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Andrea Andreani
When & what style?: 1584 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a chaotic crowd carrying a man slumped under a heavy cross. The figures are packed tightly, their faces twisted in effort or pain. Some wear hats or head coverings, while others have bare heads or long hair. The man at the center looks exhausted, his body leaning forward as he struggles to keep walking. The artist used only shades of brown and green to create depth, with darker lines defining muscles and clothes. The texture of the paper and the layered printing make the scene feel almost three-dimensional. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printing method works.