Crucifixion

1508

German, Nuremberg 1471-1528

In a monumental pyramidal composition, Christ's death on the cross is removed from its historical narrative and rendered as a timeless scene of sacrifice and grief. Incongruously set in a rolling German landscape, the image was designed to incite compassion through prolonged meditation. Because of their wide distribution, prints like this broadened the audience for affective images to aid worship, previously the role of expensive and rare illuminated manuscripts.

Engraving

5 1/4 x 3 13/16 in. (13.3 x 9.7 cm)

Gift of Dr. Leo Wallerstein

53.175

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Durer, Rembrandt, and Goya: Old Masters Prints from the Seattle Art Museum Collection", May 31, 2001 - January 1, 2002 (5/31/2001 - 1/1/2002)

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Old Master Prints from the Wallerstein Collection", October 18 - December 30, 1984. Circuit: Brown University, Bell Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island, 1/16/85-2/13/85; Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York, New York, 3/5/85-5/26/85. (10/18/1984 - 05/26/1985)

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