Christ on the Mount of Olives, from The Passion

Art Historical Context

Lucas Cranach the Elder, leading figure of the German Renaissance and close associate of Martin Luther, created *Christ on the Mount ofives* as part of his *The Passion* series. woodcut captures a pivotal moment from the New Testament: Jesus praying in agony in the Garden of Gethsem on the Mount of Olives, by sleeping disciples and comforted by an angel. Produced during the early 16th century amid the Protestant Reformation, Cranach's like this one helped spread religious imagery to a wide audience, blending devotional fervor with emerging reformist ideals. The woodcut medium—carved into wood blocks and printed on paper—exemplifies Cranach's mastery of printmaking, allowing for bold lines, dramatic contrasts, and mass production. Measuring about 9 13/16 × 6 11/16 inches, its intimate scale suited private devotion or illustrated books. Cranach's style features expressive figures and intricate details, such as flowing drapery and ethereal angels, reflecting Northern Renaissance precision while emphasizing emotional intensity. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1921, this print highlights woodcuts' role in democratizing art during turbulent times. Visitors can appreciate how Cranach's work bridged late medieval piety and Reformation zeal, making sacred narratives accessible and profoundly human.

About the Artist

Lucas Cranach the Elder · 1472–1553

Lucas Cranach the Elder (c. 1472-1553) was one of the most prominent German Renaissance painters and a key artistic figure of the Protestant Reformation. Born in Kronach, Franconia, to the painter Hans Maler, Cranach began his career in Vienna around 1502, where he became one of the founders of the Danube School, a movement characterized by expressive landscape painting and emotional force. His ea...