Praying Christ

Unknown artist

In 1498/99 Dürer designed the woodcut “Die Beweinung Christi,” which appeared in 1511 as part of the “Great Passion.” At the bottom of the picture lies the lifeless and bound body of Christ. The crown of thorns at his feet indicates the end of his torments. While John the Baptist supports the naked upper body and directs the view firmly towards the observer, Mary holds the hand of the Son of God. The four holy women are praying, grieving and lamenting composing around Christ, Mary and John. The depiction closes in the back with a landscape view that shows the empty cross of Christ between the two dead shafts on the left.