Christ on the Cross

About this work

This engraving shows a tall, thin figure nailed to a cross with arms spread wide. Below, two smaller figures kneel—one looks up, the other reaches toward the figure’s feet. The background is filled with rough, textured lines that look like clouds or stormy sky. The artist used fine, crisscrossed lines to build up shadows and details, especially on the drapery and faces. This method is called cross-hatching. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines.