1480
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Crucifixion is a 1480 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a man nailed to a cross at the center, with a sign above him. Around him, a crowd watches—some look sad, others angry or confused. On the left, two women clutch their chests, while on the right, soldiers in hats stand with spears. The artist used fine lines to show muscle and cloth, making the scene feel dramatic. The cross’s rough wood and the figures’ expressions pull your eye around the image. Want to see how artists like this made prints? Try engraving.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
See the richer artist page
