1550
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Deposition is a 1550 ink by Jean Duvet, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic scene of Jesus being taken down from the cross. Crowded figures in flowing robes surround the body, some kneeling, others reaching up. A ladder leans against the cross, and a small town sits in the background. The lines are sharp, with heavy shading to show folds in clothes and the weight of the figures. Notice how the artist uses tiny parallel lines to build up dark areas—this is called cross-hatching. It makes the scene feel dramatic and three-dimensional. Check out how cross-hatching works in other prints next.
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
See the richer artist page
