1509
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Christ Carrying the Cross is a 1509 ink by Lucas van Leyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded scene with Christ carrying a cross on his shoulder. Around him, a group of people—some watching, others reacting—fill the space. To the right, a castle sits on a hill, while in the foreground, a woman kneels beside a child. The lines are sharp, with lots of shading to show depth. The artist used tiny, repeated lines (cross-hatching) to create shadows and texture, making the scene feel detailed even though it’s all in black and white. Next, look up engraving to see how this technique works.
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
See the richer artist page
