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The Crucifixion

Benjamin West

1796

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Religious

Dominant colour

The Crucifixion is a 1796 ink by Benjamin West, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Benjamin West
When & what style?: 1796 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man nailed to a cross, surrounded by a chaotic crowd. Angels with wings float above him, while people below look up or kneel. The lines are loose and quick, with lots of shading in blue and black. The artist used light touches of color—mostly red and blue—to add drama without overpowering the sketch. The scene feels urgent, like it was drawn fast to capture the moment. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with lines.