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Christ on the Cross

Netherlandish 15th Century

1455

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Christ on the Cross is a 1455 ink by Netherlandish 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Netherlandish 15th Century
When & what style?: 1455 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This faded print shows a simple scene of three figures. The center figure is nailed to a cross, arms spread wide, with a small crown on its head. On either side stand two smaller figures, one holding a spear and the other a cloth, both looking up at the cross. The colors are dull—mostly browns, blues, and yellows—with heavy outlines that make the shapes stand out. The dark, uneven background suggests this was printed on rough paper, then colored by hand. The faces and hands are basic but clear, with just enough detail to tell the story. This style comes from a technique called woodcut.