The artwork titled “Study sheet with Christ as Man of Sorrows and a garment study” by Albrecht Dürer dates to around 1510 and is associated with the Northern Renaissance movement. This piece, which serves as a sketch and a study, is part of the collection of the British Museum in London, UK.
The artwork is a detailed drawing that captures the emotional intensity and the physical details of the subject matter. In the image, the figure of Christ is depicted as the “Man of Sorrows,” a common theme in Christian art that reflects on the suffering of Christ during his passion. The drawing shows Christ from the waist up, with a crown of thorns adorning his bowed head, creating a stark contrast between his muscular torso and the instruments of his torment. The expression on his face conveys a sense of anguish and resignation.
On the same sheet, below the image of Christ, there is a separate, less detailed study of a piece of drapery or garment. This section of the artwork demonstrates Dürer’s attention to the textures and fold of fabric, which is an important aspect of clothing representation in Renaissance art. The combination of the detailed figure study with the garment study illustrates Dürer’s practice of mastering different aspects of form and texture in his preparatory works.
