The Crucifixion
1574
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1574
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Crucifixion is a 1574 ink by Hans Bol, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a man nailed to a cross at the center, with a crowd gathered around. To the left, a robed figure points upward while a kneeling person looks down. On the right, a cityscape unfolds in the background, with people scattered below the cross. The lines are dark and precise, creating shadows and texture. The artist used fine ink lines to build up dark areas, a method called cross-hatching. This technique makes the scene feel dramatic and three-dimensional. Check out cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with just lines.
