Christ Crowned with Thorns
Medium
woodcut on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 32.6 x 22.2 cm (12 13/16 x 8 3/4 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
2007.11.1
Art Historical Context
This striking woodcut captures the poignant biblical moment when Christ is crowned with thorns, a scene of suffering and humility drawn from the Passion narrative. Created in the 1550s by Andrea Meldolla, known as Schiavone, the print faithfully reproduces a composition by the great Venetian master Titian. Schiavone, a skilled printmaker and painter active in Renaissance Italy, translated Titian’s dramatic vision into a graphic medium that allowed broader audiences to engage with the powerful imagery. Printed on laid paper, this work exemplifies how woodcuts served as vital tools for artistic...