The Lamentation — Albrecht Dürer

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this powerful depiction of the Lamentation, Christ's body lies across the laps of his grieving mother Mary and Mary Magdalene, after his removal from the cross. The scene is rendered with a striking emotional intensity, evident in the contorted expressions of sorrow on the faces of the mourners. The figures are carved from walnut and painted, with traces of gilt still visible, particularly on the drapery, which would have shimmered in the candlelight of its original setting. The detailed carving of the fabric, with its deep folds and heavy textures, adds a tangible sense of weight and gravity to the somber moment. This artwork, created when the artist was only around six years old, presents a remarkably early and sophisticated example of religious art, emphasizing the raw human suffering inherent in the biblical narrative.

DETAILS

Artist: Albrecht Dürer
Date: 1477
Medium: Walnut, paint, and gilt
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions: 83 x 48 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (210.8 x 123.2 x 34.3 cm)
Collection: The Cloisters
Culture: Central Spanish
Credit line: The Cloisters Collection, 1955

ART MOVEMENTS

Northern Renaissance

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

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01

Christ's slumped body

Look at the pale, limp body at the center, head thrown back and mouth open. The bright, smooth skin sets him apart from the darker figures and makes him the focus of the grief around him.

1 of 5 on the painting

02

The crown of thorns

At far left, a woman holds the woven crown of thorns in her hands. The tangled, spiky ring recalls the suffering that has just ended.

2 of 5 on the painting

03

Wounded hand and foot

Find the small red wound in the palm of the dangling hand at lower left, then the matching mark on the foot at lower right. Tiny touches of red quietly mark the wounds.

3 of 5 on the painting

04

Spilled glass vessel

At the bottom, a glass goblet holding dark red liquid stands near a toppled glass. Their fragile, shiny surfaces contrast with the rough rocky ground beneath the tomb.

4 of 5 on the painting

05

Gold patterned robe

The bald man at right wears a heavy robe shimmering with gold pattern, beside a striped woven cloth. The painter delights in showing rich fabrics.

5 of 5 on the painting

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THE ARTIST