The Crowning with Thorns

German 15th Century

1440

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance beheaded head

About this work

This woodcut shows Jesus in a red robe with a crown of thorns. His face twists in pain as soldiers force the crown on. Green and gold colors pop against the gray-blue background. It’s one of the earliest known colored woodcuts. Most prints from this time were black and white. Here, bright colors make the scene feel urgent and real. Try looking up woodcut next.