Christ Tells His Disciples of the Last Judgment
1630
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1630
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Christ Tells His Disciples of the Last Judgment is a 1630 ink by Christoph Murer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a crowded scene with Jesus at the center, standing on a raised platform. Around him, people in armor and robes look up, some pointing or gesturing. One figure on the ground seems to be rising or being pulled upward. The background has rough textures and a few small figures, while the whole image is made of sharp lines and shadows. Notice how the artist used only black and white to create drama. The way people are packed in and their varied poses make the scene feel urgent. Look up woodcut to see how this technique works.
