Who painted The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1508.

Where can I see The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion is held by British Museum.

What movement is The Crucifixion?

The Crucifixion is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Crucifixion?

Museum-quality prints of The Crucifixion are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

The Crucifixion by Albrecht Dürer (1508)

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, bottom center on tablet: 1508 / AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: B24; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 22 [?] [upside down]; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: writing [erased]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: writing [erased]; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: 105 [underlined]; verso, bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: 18
Markings: Marked:unidentified collector's mark in purple ink on bottom right of verso

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The Crucifixion depicts the crucifixion of Jesus alongside the apostle John and Mary Magdalene, figures traditionally identified in crucifixion iconography as witnesses to Christ's sacrifice. The composition emphasizes the centrality of the cross within the narrative of redemption, reflecting the theological focus on suffering and salvation in early German Renaissance religious art. The work belongs to the religious genre and draws directly from New Testament accounts of Christ's execution, serving as a visual meditation on core Christian doctrines of atonement and divine love.

History & Provenance

The work depicts the crucifixion of Jesus alongside John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene, reflecting its religious subject matter rooted in the New Testament.

Albrecht Dürer created the engraving The Crucifixion in 1508 in Nuremberg. The work depicts the crucifixion of Jesus alongside John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene, reflecting its religious subject matter rooted in the New Testament.

The known ownership chain begins with Ralf Leopold von Retberg (1812–1885) of Munich, who owned a impression marked with his collector's mark (Lugt 2822) in blue ink. In 1928, the print was purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald (1891–1979) of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Rosenwald subsequently donated the work to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1943, where it now resides within the Rosenwald Collection.

The engraving The Crucifixion (1508) by Albrecht Dürer is held in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it forms part of the Rosenwald Collection. The work carries the accession number 1943.3.3535.

Prior to its acquisition by the National Gallery of Art, the print was owned by collector Lessing J. Rosenwald, who purchased it in 1928 from Ralf Leopold von Retberg. Rosenwald subsequently gifted the engraving to the museum in 1943.

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1508 engraving titled The Crucifixion presents a solemn scene of the crucifixion of Jesus, accompanied by John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene positioned beneath the cross. Executed on laid paper, the work forms part of Dürer’s series of Passion prints, which also includes depictions of the Agony in the Garden and the Carrying of the Cross.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs precise line work and dense cross‑hatching to model flesh, drapery, and the sky, achieving a high degree of tonal variation. The engraving’s razor‑sharp contours and meticulous shading render the anatomy and fabric folds with a tangible realism characteristic of his mature printmaking.

Context

The Crucifixion belongs to a trio of Passion engravings that Dürer designed to offer a contemplative visual narrative of Christ’s suffering. By opting for subdued gestures and a calm atmosphere, Dürer aligns the piece with contemporary devotional practices that favored personal reflection over overt spectacle.