The artwork “Christ on the Cross” is a sketch and study by Albrecht Dürer, dated to 1523. It’s considered part of the Northern Renaissance movement and is associated with Dürer’s studies for the “Great Crucifixion” series. The sketch can be found housed at the Louvre in Paris, France.
The artwork presents a detailed and somber depiction of Christ on the cross. Since the cross itself is not included in this study, Christ’s body appears suspended. His arms are outstretched with visible tension in the muscles, and his head is bowed to the side, which conveys an expression of suffering or death. The loin cloth is the only piece of clothing on his otherwise bare anatomy, which is rendered with attention to muscular detail and physical form, emphasizing the human aspect of the figure. The marks of the nails are visible in his feet and hands, and every contour of his physique is meticulously sketched, showcasing Dürer’s mastery of human anatomy and his remarkable draftsmanship. The year “1523” is inscribed at the bottom of the sketch, serving as a clear marker of the work’s creation date.
