Christ on the Mount of Olives
1522
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1522
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This woodcut shows a chaotic scene of Jesus in the center, praying with his hands raised. Around him, small figures—some standing, some kneeling—fill the space, looking worried or lost. The background is packed with swirling lines and shapes, like tangled trees and stormy clouds, making everything feel dark and intense. Notice how the artist used sharp, repeating lines to create texture—even the sky looks rough. The woodcut technique means every detail was carved into wood blocks, then printed. Look up woodcut to see how this printing method works.