Triumphal Altar with Stages in the Life of Christ
1518
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1518
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a towering, ornate altar packed with figures. At the top, two angels hold a flaming urn while a crowned saint stands in the center. Below, a crucifixion scene unfolds under an arch, with a crowd gathered at the base. The whole thing looks carved from stone, with intricate scrollwork and tiny faces peeking from every corner. The artist used a sharp, precise line to create deep shadows and textures, almost like a sketch turned into metal. The layers of scenes—from the top to the bottom—tell a story in steps. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this used acid to carve images into metal.
