The artwork “Man of Sorrows with Hands Bound” was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1512. As a prominent figure of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer infused his religious painting with a sense of realism and emotional depth that was characteristic of the movement. This particular piece is housed in the Albertina museum located in Vienna, Austria.
In the artwork, we observe a figure that represents Jesus Christ during his Passion, captured most likely shortly after the Flagellation and before the Crucifixion, based on the iconography typically associated with the “Man of Sorrows.” The figure is standing, with his hands bound in front of him. Christ is depicted nearly bare, draped with a piece of cloth that preserves his modesty. He exhibits a crown of thorns on his head and his posture is one of quiet resignation. His downcast eyes and the overall sombre expression on his face convey the immense suffering he is enduring.
The background of the etching is rather simple and stark, featuring a barren tree to the right of the figure, and a vague, hilly landscape stretching into the distance. Dürer’s fine line work and attention to detail are exemplified in the intricate portrayal of the textures of Christ’s hair, the thorns, and the fabric of the cloth. The year “1512” and Dürer’s monogram are inscribed above the figure, attesting to the authenticity and the creation date of the artwork.
