“Christ on the Mount of Olives” is a religious painting by Albrecht Durer, dated around 1520. It can be attributed to the Northern Renaissance movement, and it is part of the collection at the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin in Berlin, Germany. The piece is notable for its religious significance and reflective of the period’s style and thematic concerns.
The artwork depicts a scene from the New Testament where Jesus is in prayer on the Mount of Olives, prior to his arrest and crucifixion. In the foreground, Jesus is shown kneeling and praying in an intense and intimate moment. An angel is present in the scene, appearing above to Jesus, bearing a cup which symbolizes the suffering Jesus is about to undertake. The landscape around Jesus is rocky and barren, adding to the somberness and gravity of the scene. Durer’s mastery in capturing human emotion and his refined technique in engraving are apparent in the detailed lines, creating a sense of depth and texture that brings the moment to life with vivid poignancy.
