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The Good Thief

Karel van Mander I

1577

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory Lamentation of Christ

Dominant colour

The Good Thief is a 1577 ink by Karel van Mander I, a Renaissance work, depicting Lamentation of Christ, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Karel van Mander I
When & what style?: 1577 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a thief on the cross beside Jesus. His face twists in pain and regret. The lines are sharp and thin, like scratches on paper. Karel van Mander used pen and ink with a light orange wash to build light and shadow. The white highlights make the skin look real. Look up cross-hatching. It’s how he made those sharp lines.