1490
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Descent from the Cross is a 1490 ink by German 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows three figures in a crowded, emotional scene. The central figure lies draped in red, arms limp, while two others struggle to lower him. One person in blue holds his feet, and another in a red hat leans in to help. The background has a blue sky and simple buildings, but the focus is on the tense, physical work of carrying the body. Notice how the figures’ muscles and clothes are drawn with sharp lines—this wasn’t painted but carved into wood, then colored by hand. The rough, blocky shapes make the scene feel urgent and raw. Look up technique: woodcut to see how this method worked.
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.
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