Basic Information

Historical Context

From Dürer's Small Passion series, this woodcut depicts one of the seven last words of Christ on the cross. The Small Passion consists of thirty-seven woodcuts narrating the life and Passion of Christ in a compact format. [Inferred from Dürer Catalog] Visual Description Christ on the cross, surrounded by figures at the foot of the cross. The scene focuses on the dramatic moment of one of Christ's seven last utterances. The composition is compact and emotionally direct, with simplified backgrounds concentrating attention on the central sacred event. Artistic Analysis The Small Passion series was Dürer's most widely circulated print cycle, designed for a popular market. The woodcuts demonstrate Dürer's ability to convey profound religious emotion within a compact format. The series was enormously influential in disseminating Dürer's visual language across Europe.